Our study is aimed at investigating the association between common childhood infectious diseases (measles, chickenpox, rubella, mumps and pertussis) and the risk of developing leukaemia in an adult population.
A protective effect of at least one infection, measles, and pertussis was observed for chronic lymphoid leukaemia (CLL).
The number of infections was strongly inversely associated with the risk of CLL.
With regard to the other types of leukaemia, only a protective effect of pertussis was observed for AML [acute myeloid leukaemia].
Our results pointed out a protective role of childhood infectious diseases on the risk of CLL in adults.
With regard to ALL [acute lymphoid leukaemia], a protective effect was observed for measles and, consistently, although to a lower extent, for chickenpox, mumps, pertussis and any infection.
A protective effect of some childhood infections, especially measles and pertussis, on CLL risk was pointed out by this investigation.
Interestingly, a statistically significant inverse trend was observed with increasing number of infections.
In conclusion, results from our investigation are consistent with those from other recent studies and point out a protective role of childhood infectious diseases on the risk of developing CLL in adult populations.