Pediatr Allergy Respir Dis.  2010 Sep;20(3):166-172.

Increased Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors in Nasopharyngeal Aspirates from Children with Acute RSV Bronchiolitis

• La KS
• Nam HK
• Bauer S
• Kim JE
• Choi IS
• Lee Y
• Yoo Y
• Park SH
• Choung JT

Abstract

PURPOSE
Viral infection is known as one of the dominant risk factors for wheezing in children hospitalized before 2 years of age. Although the major viral pathogen associated with wheezing is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the mechanisms of wheezing remain unclear. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a major mediator of angiogenesis and vascular permeability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between VEGF concentration and wheezing in children with acute RSV bronchiolitis.
METHODS
Ninety-four children with acute bronchiolitis who were admitted to Korea University Anam Hospital were enrolled in this study. Based on the proven viral agents, children with bronchiolitis were divided into 2 groups: those who were infected with RSV (RSV (+) group, n=51) and those who were not (RSV (-) group, n=43). A complete history taking, physical examination and routine laboratory tests were performed on all children. VEGF levels in serum and nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPA) were determined by ELISA.
RESULTS
NPA VEGF levels were significantly higher in the RSV (+) group than in the RSV (-) group (331.8+/-197.8 vs. 204.5+/-97.0 pg/mL, P=0.002). The duration of wheezing is significantly longer in the RSV (+) group than in the RSV (-) group (3.8+/-2.7 days vs. 2.4+/-1.8 days, P=0.037).
CONCLUSION
The results of this study suggest that children with RSV bronchiolitis may have significantly higher NPA VEGF levels than those without, which may be associated with a longer duration of wheezing in those with RSV bronchiolitis.

Keyword

Bronchiolitis; Children; RSV; Vascular endothelial growth factor; Wheezing

MeSH Terms

Bronchiolitis
Capillary Permeability
Child
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Humans
Korea
Physical Examination
Respiratory Sounds
Respiratory Syncytial Viruses
Risk Factors
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors