A quote from the study: 'H influenza endotoxin can directly trigger the release of inflammatory mediators from basophils and eosinophils, and there is evidence from the release of eosinophil cationic protein do this in the lungs.' 'Infants can make IgG4 antibody as shown in food allergy and responses to vaccines and virus infections'.
Once triggered, either by mite allergens or bacterial endotoxins, basophils in the blood, and mast cells in the lung can release histamine, elastase and tryptase, some of the many pro-inflammatory markers in respiratory disease. Furthermore, there also is evidence to suggest that dual exposure to house dust mites and viral infections in sensitised people can have a synergistic effect and cause severe asthma exacerbation.
This study may be important in the research of cot deaths caused by the possibility of modified-anaphylaxis. To explore this further please refer to: 'Sudden Infant Death Syndrome' (Monograph) :Coombs RRA, Parish WE, Walls AF, Cambridge Publications (2000)
Differences in the antibody response to a mucosal bacterial antigen between allergic and non-allergic subjects. Hales BJ, Pearce LJ, Kusel MMH, Holt PG, Sly PD, Thomas WR. 'Thorax' 2008; 63: 221-27