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Scandinavian Journal of Work,... Dec 1984Atopy denotes the exceptional capacity to produce immunoglobulin (Ig)E antibody when exposed to common environmental allergens. The characteristic is frequently used for... (Review)
Review
Atopy denotes the exceptional capacity to produce immunoglobulin (Ig)E antibody when exposed to common environmental allergens. The characteristic is frequently used for preemployment screening purposes. Too little attention has, however, been paid to the rationale and the consequences of this practice. Atopy is very common, and so decisions made because of atopy probably affect about a third of the working population. Work-related hypersensitivity symptoms cannot be eradicated by the weeding out of atopics. The intensity of exposure and/or the sensitizing properties of causative agents are often extremely strong in occupational settings and trigger the production of specific IgE antibodies even in nonatopics. Atopy is probably not sufficiently discriminative for screening purposes even in environments where atopics are known to have a greater risk of developing asthma (eg, laboratories with animals). Moreover, weeding out atopics may be used instead of hygienic and technical measures to reduce exposure levels. Separate decisions on medical, as well as legal, grounds may be warranted when a person with atopic symptoms, ie, rhinitis, asthma, or dermatitis, enters a new occupational environment. There is an urgent need for prospective studies in various occupational environments.
Topics: Employment; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Immunoglobulin E; Occupational Diseases; Physical Examination; Prognosis; Risk
PubMed: 6398914
DOI: 10.5271/sjweh.2312 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2022To evaluate the independent and interactive effects of eye rubbing and atopy on keratoconus (KC) in central China.
PURPOSE
To evaluate the independent and interactive effects of eye rubbing and atopy on keratoconus (KC) in central China.
METHODS
A total of 330 KC patients and 330 controls were recruited in the case-control study. Eye rubbing and history of atopy were recorded through face-to-face interviews. The association between KC and eye rubbing, atopy, interactive effects of eye rubbing and atopy were analyzed by logistic regression, and the odds ratios (), relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), attributable proportion (AP), synergy (S) index, and 95% confidence intervals (95% ) were calculated.
RESULTS
A total of 228 patients (69.09%) had an eye rubbing history, and 53 (16.06%) had an atopy history in the KC group, which were both higher than that in the control group (p<0.001). Eye rubbing and atopy were positively associated with KC in multivariate analysis, with ORs (95% CIs) of 15.11 (10.02, 22.80) and 5.30 (2.59, 10.84), respectively. Compared to non-eye rubbing and non-atopy eyes, the risk for eye rubbing coexisted with atopy was 52.31 (12.25, 223.35). No significant associations were found between KC and multiplicative interaction (p=0.608). The RERI, AP, and S values were 32.89 (-43.35, 109.14), 0.63 (0.05, 1.21), and 2.79 (0.56, 13.96), respectively, with no significant association between additive interaction and KC. No significant associations were found between eye rubbing, atopy and the severity of KC (p>0.05).
CONCLUSION
Eye rubbing and atopy were separately positively associated with KC, and there was a strong impact of coexistent eye rubbing and atopy on KC in China. Further multi-center and cohort study need to be conducted to explore the role of eye rubbing and atopy in the occurrence and development of KC.
Topics: Case-Control Studies; Cohort Studies; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Keratoconus; Odds Ratio
PubMed: 36248837
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.999435 -
Pediatric Pulmonology Jan 2021Epidemiologic studies have found low/absence of atopy in obese asthmatic children, but the association or lack thereof of atopy with disease morbidity, including...
INTRODUCTION
Epidemiologic studies have found low/absence of atopy in obese asthmatic children, but the association or lack thereof of atopy with disease morbidity, including pulmonary function, in obese asthma is not well understood. We sought to define the association of atopy with pulmonary function in overweight/obese minority children with asthma.
METHODS
In a retrospective chart review of 200 predominantly minority children evaluated at an academic Pediatric Asthma Center over 5 years, we compared the prevalence of atopy, defined as 1 positive skin prick test or serum-specific immunoglobulin E quantification to environmental allergens, and its association with pulmonary function in overweight/obese (body mass index [BMI] > 85th percentile) (n = 99) to healthy-weight children (BMI, 5th-85th percentile for age) (n = 101).
RESULTS
In a cohort comprised of 47.5% Hispanics and 39.5% African Americans, 81% of overweight/obese and 74% of healthy-weight children were atopic. While atopic healthy-weight children had lower percent-predicted forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV ) (93 ± 13.6 vs 107% ± 33.2%, P = .03) and lower percent-predicted forced vital capacity (FVC) (93% ± 12.2% vs 104% ± 16.1%, P = .01) as compared to nonatopic children, atopy was not associated with FEV (P = .7) or FVC (P = .17) in overweight/obese children. Adjusting for demographic and clinical variables, atopy was found to be an independent predictor of FEV and FVC in healthy-weight (β = -2.4, P = .07 and β = -1.7, P = .04, respectively) but not in overweight/obese children (β = .6, P = .5 and β = .8, P = .3).
CONCLUSIONS
Atopy is associated with lower lung function in healthy-weight asthmatics but not in overweight/obese asthmatics, supporting the role of nonallergic mechanisms in disease burden in pediatric obesity-related asthma.
Topics: Adolescent; Black or African American; Allergens; Asthma; Body Mass Index; Child; Female; Forced Expiratory Volume; Hispanic or Latino; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Immunoglobulin E; Lung; Male; Overweight; Pediatric Obesity; Respiratory Function Tests; Retrospective Studies; Skin Tests; Vital Capacity
PubMed: 32757362
DOI: 10.1002/ppul.25005 -
Frontiers in Allergy 2021Allergic mechanisms account for most cases of chronic rhinitis. This condition is associated with significant impairment of quality of life and high indirect costs. The... (Review)
Review
Allergic mechanisms account for most cases of chronic rhinitis. This condition is associated with significant impairment of quality of life and high indirect costs. The identification of the allergic triggers of rhinitis has been historically based on the performance of atopy test [skin prick test (SPT) and serum allergen-specific (s)IgE]. Nevertheless, these tests only denote sensitization, and atopy and allergy represent two different phenomena. It is now clear that allergic phenotypes of rhinitis can exist in both atopic (allergic rhinitis, AR) and non-atopic (local allergic rhinitis, LAR) individuals. Moreover, both allergic phenotypes can coexist in the same rhinitis patient (dual allergic rhinitis, DAR). Therefore, a diagnostic approach merely based on atopy tests is associated with a significant rate of misdiagnosis. The confirmation of the allergic etiology of rhinitis requires the performance of test like the nasal allergen challenge (NAC). NAC is mandatory for the diagnosis of LAR and DAR, and helps decide the best management approach in difficult cases of AR. Nevertheless, NAC is a laborious technique requiring human and technical resources. The basophil activation test (BAT) is a patient-friendly technique that has shown promising results for LAR and DAR diagnosis. In this review, the diagnostic usefulness for chronic rhinitis of SPT, NAC, olfactory tests, serum sIgE, BAT and the quantification of inflammatory mediators in nasal samples will be discussed. The accurate performance of an etiologic diagnosis of rhinitis patients will favor the prescription of specific therapies with disease-modifying potential like allergen immunotherapy.
PubMed: 35386974
DOI: 10.3389/falgy.2021.721851 -
International Archives of Allergy and... 2015Migration studies have shown that environmental factors in more developed and industrialized countries facilitate atopy and asthma in a time-dependent manner and are... (Review)
Review
Migration studies have shown that environmental factors in more developed and industrialized countries facilitate atopy and asthma in a time-dependent manner and are affected by age at immigration. Levels of immunoglobulin E are higher in immigrants than in the local population and gradually decrease to the levels of the general population. Parasitic infestation may function in the prevention and pathogenesis of atopic conditions in immigrants from developing countries. Helminths are associated with a reduced prevalence of clinically important atopic disorders, likely because of induction of a regulatory cell population mechanism. Improved understanding of the immunologic background of helminths and their protective function in humans has led to a growing interest in the possibility of reversal of allergies using parasites and the development of new therapies, such as immunomodulation for allergy using ova from parasites orally or intranasally. Strategies for primary prevention in high-risk atopic individuals and secondary prevention guidelines should be developed for populations in developing countries and for immigrants from developing countries to atopy-prevalent developed countries. Improved understanding of the function of parasitic infection in modulation of the immune response may lead to new therapeutic options for allergic conditions.
Topics: Animals; Asthma; Dermatitis, Atopic; Helminths; Humans; Immunoglobulin E; Parasitic Diseases; Transients and Migrants
PubMed: 26139475
DOI: 10.1159/000431360 -
European Annals of Allergy and Clinical... Jan 2016The literature on the nature and prevalence of indoor and/or outdoor aeroallergens, atopy and symptoms of rhinitis and asthma in the Middle East region (defined here as... (Review)
Review
The literature on the nature and prevalence of indoor and/or outdoor aeroallergens, atopy and symptoms of rhinitis and asthma in the Middle East region (defined here as Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - KSA, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen) was reviewed. Although documentation was poor in all countries other than Iran and the KSA, a wide range of "global" and "local" aeroallergens (grass, weed and tree pollens, fungal spores, insect allergens, dander, and house dust mites) has been observed across the region. The prevalence of current self-reported or parent-reported symptoms of rhinitis ranged from 9% to 38%. Researchers have suggested that the high atopy rates and self-reported rhinitis rates are associated with an on-going shift towards a "western" lifestyle.
Topics: Allergens; Animals; Dander; Female; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Insecta; Male; Middle East; Pollen; Prevalence; Pyroglyphidae; Rhinitis, Allergic; Spores, Fungal
PubMed: 26808447
DOI: No ID Found -
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical... Jan 2023In the past 2 years, there continue to be advances in our understanding of the genetic and epigenetic underpinnings of atopy pertaining to disease risk and disease... (Review)
Review
In the past 2 years, there continue to be advances in our understanding of the genetic and epigenetic underpinnings of atopy pertaining to disease risk and disease severity. The joint role of genetics and the environment has been emphasized in multiple studies. Combining genetics with family history, biomarkers, and comorbidities is further refining our ability to predict the development of individual atopic diseases as well as the advancement of the atopic march. Polygenic risk scores will be an important next step for the field moving toward clinical translation of the genetic findings thus far. A systems biology approach, as illustrated by studies of the microbiome and epigenome, will be necessary to fully understand disease development and to develop increasingly targeted therapeutics.
Topics: Humans; Food Hypersensitivity; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Risk Factors; Comorbidity; Epigenesis, Genetic
PubMed: 36608983
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2022.10.027 -
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical... Jul 2017Previous studies, mostly from Europe, suggest that early-life farming exposures protect against childhood asthma and allergy; few data exist on asthma and allergy in...
BACKGROUND
Previous studies, mostly from Europe, suggest that early-life farming exposures protect against childhood asthma and allergy; few data exist on asthma and allergy in adults.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to examine associations between early-life farming exposures and current asthma and atopy in an older adult US farming population.
METHODS
We analyzed data from 1746 farmers and 1555 spouses (mean age, 63) from a case-control study nested within the Agricultural Health Study. Current asthma and early-life farming exposures were assessed via questionnaires. We defined atopy based on specific IgE > 0.70 IU/mL to at least 1 of 10 allergens measured in blood. We used logistic regression, adjusted for age, sex, race, state (Iowa or North Carolina), and smoking (pack years), to estimate associations between early-life exposures and asthma (1198 cases and 2031 noncases) or atopy (578 cases and 2526 noncases).
RESULTS
Exposure to the farming environment in utero and in early childhood had little or no association with asthma but was associated with reduced odds of atopy. The strongest association was seen for having a mother who performed farm activities while pregnant (odds ratio, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.48-0.74) and remained significant in models with correlated early-life exposures including early childhood farm animal contact and raw milk consumption.
CONCLUSIONS
In a large US farming population, early-life farm exposures, particularly maternal farming activities while pregnant, were strongly associated with reduced risk of atopy in adults. These results extend previous work done primarily on childhood outcomes and suggest that protective associations of early-life farming exposures on atopy endure across the life course.
Topics: Aged; Asthma; Case-Control Studies; Environmental Exposure; Farms; Female; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Immunoglobulin E; Iowa; Male; Middle Aged; North Carolina; Odds Ratio; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Smoking
PubMed: 27845237
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2016.09.036 -
Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical... Apr 2018The purpose of this review is to summarize the recent evidence on the distinct atopic phenotypes and their relationship with childhood asthma. We start by considering... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
The purpose of this review is to summarize the recent evidence on the distinct atopic phenotypes and their relationship with childhood asthma. We start by considering definitions and phenotypic classification of atopy and then review evidence on its association with asthma in children.
RECENT FINDINGS
It is now well recognized that both asthma and atopy are complex entities encompassing various different sub-groups that also differ in the way they interconnect. The lack of gold standards for diagnostic markers of atopy and asthma further adds to the existing complexity over diagnostic accuracy and definitions. Although recent statistical phenotyping studies contributed significantly to our understanding of these heterogeneous disorders, translating these findings into meaningful information and effective therapies requires further work on understanding underpinning biological mechanisms.
SUMMARY
The disaggregation of allergic sensitization may help predict how the allergic disease is likely to progress. One of the important questions is how best to incorporate tests for the assessment of allergic sensitization into diagnostic algorithms for asthma, both in terms of confirming asthma diagnosis, and the assessment of future risk.
Topics: Allergens; Asthma; Child; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Immunoglobulin E; Phenotype; Risk Factors; Skin Tests
PubMed: 29389732
DOI: 10.1097/ACI.0000000000000430 -
Italian Journal of Pediatrics Nov 2016Recently, there has been growing interest in the relationship between allergic and autoimmune diseases. Allergy and autoimmunity can be considered two potential outcomes... (Review)
Review
Recently, there has been growing interest in the relationship between allergic and autoimmune diseases. Allergy and autoimmunity can be considered two potential outcomes of dysregulated immunity and analysis of literature data shows a strong positive association between a history of Th2-mediated allergic disorders and Th1-mediated autoimmune disorders.Autoimmune thyroid diseases are the most common of all autoimmune pathological conditions.Currently, the mechanisms explaining an association among atopy, autoimmunity, and thyroid diseases are not fully understood.There are data in literature pointing to the relationship between melatonin and thyroid activity. Several studies have suggested a paracrine role for this molecule in the regulation of thyroid activity, documenting that administration, as an antioxidant, in thyroid tissues under conditions of increased oxidative stress, could be helpful to reduce the oxidative processes involved in autoimmune thyroid diseases.Although thyroid autoimmunity has been regularly associated with atopic conditions in children, the possible protective role of melatonin has not yet been investigated.This review summarizes what is known regarding the connection between atopy and autoimmune thyroid diseases, and analyses the probable beneficial action of melatonin.
Topics: Antioxidants; Autoimmune Diseases; Child; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Melatonin; Thyroid Diseases
PubMed: 27814774
DOI: 10.1186/s13052-016-0305-0