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Frontiers in Pediatrics 2017Asthma is a common condition, which is associated with atopy and allergic conditions including hay fever, eczema, and food allergies. Asthma and atopy are both complex... (Review)
Review
Asthma is a common condition, which is associated with atopy and allergic conditions including hay fever, eczema, and food allergies. Asthma and atopy are both complex conditions where genetic and environmental factors are implicated in causation. Interactions between genetic and environmental factors, likely epigenetic mechanisms, are widely thought to be important in determining the risk for developing asthma and atopy. The nature of the relationship between asthma and atopy is unclear and the answer to the question "does atopy cause asthma?" remains unknown. This review explores the relationship between asthma and atopy from a gene-environment interaction perspective and tackles the question "are similar gene-environment interactions present for asthma and atopy?" The main finding is that gene-environment interactions are described for asthma and atopy in children but these interactions are seldom sought for both asthma and atopy in the same population. In the few instances where a gene-environment interaction is related to both asthma and atopy, there is no consistent evidence that similar interactions are common to asthma and atopy. Many plausible gene-environment interactions for asthma and atopy are yet to be explored. Overall, from the gene-environment interaction perspective, there is absence of evidence to better understand the complex relationship between asthma and atopy.
PubMed: 28589116
DOI: 10.3389/fped.2017.00118 -
Pediatric Allergy and Immunology :... Jun 2017In high-income countries, allergy-related diseases (ARDs) follow a typical sequence, the 'Atopic March'. Little is known about the life-course of ARDs in the markedly...
BACKGROUND
In high-income countries, allergy-related diseases (ARDs) follow a typical sequence, the 'Atopic March'. Little is known about the life-course of ARDs in the markedly different, low-income, tropical environment. We describe ARDs in a tropical, African birth cohort.
METHODS
Ugandan children were followed from birth to 9 years. ISAAC questionnaires were completed at intervals; doctor-diagnosed ARDs were recorded throughout follow-up. Skin prick tests (SPTs) were performed at 3 and 9 years. Atopy was defined as ≥1 positive SPT.
RESULTS
Of the 2345 live-born children, 1214 (52%) were seen at 9 years. Wheeze and eczema were common in infancy, but by 9 years, only 4% reported recent wheeze, 5% eczema and 5% rhinitis. Between 3 and 9 years, atopy prevalence increased from 19% to 25%. Atopy at 3 or 9 years was associated with reported ARD events at 9 years, for example OR = 5.2 (95% CI 2.9-10.7) for atopy and recent wheeze at 9 years. Reported or doctor-diagnosed ARD events in early childhood were associated with the same events in later childhood, for example OR = 4.4 (2.3-8.4) for the association between reported wheeze before 3 years with reported recent wheeze at 9 years, but progression from early eczema to later rhinitis or asthma was not observed.
CONCLUSION
Allergen sensitization started early in childhood and increased with age. Eczema and wheeze were common in infancy and declined with age. Atopy was strongly associated with ARD among the few affected children. The typical Atopic March did not occur. Environmental exposures during childhood may dissociate atopy and ARD.
Topics: Africa South of the Sahara; Allergens; Child; Child, Preschool; Cohort Studies; Comorbidity; Developing Countries; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Male; Poverty; Prevalence; Respiratory Sounds; Skin Tests; Surveys and Questionnaires; Uganda
PubMed: 28339128
DOI: 10.1111/pai.12719 -
Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Dec 2021The occurrence of allergic conditions, for example allergic asthma, rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis, is rising worldwide. These allergic conditions are associated with... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The occurrence of allergic conditions, for example allergic asthma, rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis, is rising worldwide. These allergic conditions are associated with poor life quality. Vitamin D is proposed to be linked with increased risk and severe forms of allergic diseases.
AIMS
This review article aimed to evaluate the vitamin D level role and polymorphisms of vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) in atopy.
METHODS & MATERIALS
We analyzed publications that were focusing on levels of vitamin D and/or polymorphism analysis of vitamin D receptor gene in allergic asthma, rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis patients.
RESULTS
We noticed that levels of vitamin D are extensively studied in atopy by many research groups, however, polymorphisms of vitamin D receptor gene and their link with levels of vitamin D lack comprehensive data. There is evidence that vitamin D may be associated with anti-inflammatory effects in allergic diseases. Some of VDR polymorphisms also may play a role in pathogenesis of these diseases. However, the data from different studies are controversial.
DISCUSSION
The results of different studies are usually inconsistent, most probably due to populational bias or differences in methodology. Even though, more evidence shows a positive impact of vitamin D on the risk and outcomes of allergic diseases, especially atopic dermatitis, and asthma.
CONCLUSIONS
There is controversial data about the level of vitamin D and its role in atopy; however, more evidence shows a positive impact on the risk and outcomes of allergic diseases.
Topics: Dermatitis, Atopic; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Polymorphism, Genetic; Receptors, Calcitriol; Vitamin D
PubMed: 34343413
DOI: 10.1002/iid3.487 -
PloS One 2015The increase in prevalence of asthma and atopic diseases in Western countries has been linked to aspects of microbial exposure patterns of people. It remains unclear...
BACKGROUND
The increase in prevalence of asthma and atopic diseases in Western countries has been linked to aspects of microbial exposure patterns of people. It remains unclear which microbial aspects contribute to the protective farm effect.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to identify bacterial groups associated with prevalence of asthma and atopy, and to quantify indoor exposure to some of these bacterial groups.
METHODS
A DNA fingerprinting technique, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), was applied to mattress dust samples of farm children and control children in the context of the GABRIEL Advanced study. Associations between signals in DGGE and atopy, asthma and other allergic health outcomes were analyzed. Quantitative DNA based assays (qPCR) for four bacterial groups were applied on the dust samples to seek quantitative confirmation of associations indicated in DNA fingerprinting.
RESULTS
Several statistically significant associations between individual bacterial signals and also bacterial diversity in DGGE and health outcomes in children were observed. The majority of these associations showed inverse relationships with atopy, less so with asthma. Also, in a subsequent confirmation study using a quantitative method (qPCR), higher mattress levels of specifically targeted bacterial groups - Mycobacterium spp., Bifidobacteriaceae spp. and two different clusters of Clostridium spp. - were associated with a lower prevalence of atopy.
CONCLUSION
DNA fingerprinting proved useful in identifying bacterial signals that were associated with atopy in particular. These findings were quantitatively confirmed for selected bacterial groups with a second method. High correlations between the different bacterial exposures impede a clear attribution of protective effects to one specific bacterial group. More diverse bacterial flora in mattress dust may link to microbial exposure patterns that protect against development of atopic diseases.
Topics: Age Factors; Air Pollution, Indoor; Asthma; Bacteria; Biodiversity; Child; Environmental Exposure; Female; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Male; Molecular Typing; Qualitative Research; Risk Factors
PubMed: 26121165
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131594 -
The European Respiratory Journal May 2019Early allergic sensitisation (atopy) is the first step in the development of allergic diseases such as atopic asthma later in life. Genes and pathways associated with...
Early allergic sensitisation (atopy) is the first step in the development of allergic diseases such as atopic asthma later in life. Genes and pathways associated with atopy and atopic asthma in children and adolescents have not been well characterised.A transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) of atopy and atopic asthma in white blood cells (WBCs) or whole blood was conducted in a cohort of 460 Puerto Ricans aged 9-20 years (EVA-PR study) and in a cohort of 250 Swedish adolescents (BAMSE study). Pathway enrichment and network analyses were conducted to further assess top findings, and classification models of atopy and atopic asthma were built using expression levels for the top differentially expressed genes (DEGs).In a meta-analysis of the study cohorts, both previously implicated genes ( and ) and genes not previously reported in TWASs (novel) were significantly associated with atopy and/or atopic asthma. Top novel genes for atopy included (p=8.07×10), (p=7.07×10) and (p=1.48×10). Expression quantitative trait locus analyses identified multiple asthma-relevant genotype-expression pairs, such as rs2255888/ Pathway enrichment analysis uncovered 16 significantly enriched pathways at adjusted p<0.01, including those relevant to T-helper cell type 1 (Th1) and Th2 immune responses. Classification models built using the top DEGs and a few demographic/parental history variables accurately differentiated subjects with atopic asthma from nonatopic control subjects (area under the curve 0.84).We have identified genes and pathways for atopy and atopic asthma in children and adolescents, using transcriptome-wide data from WBCs and whole blood samples.
Topics: Adolescent; Antigens, CD; Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte; Arachidonate 15-Lipoxygenase; Asthma; Case-Control Studies; Child; Equilibrative Nucleoside Transporter 1; Female; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Immunoglobulin E; Lectins; Leukocytes; Logistic Models; Male; Puerto Rico; Sphingomyelin Phosphodiesterase; Transcriptome; Young Adult
PubMed: 30923181
DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00102-2019 -
Postepy Dermatologii I Alergologii Feb 2022Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a common skin allergic reaction with an unknown mechanism. There is inadequate evidence to support the role of aeroallergen...
INTRODUCTION
Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a common skin allergic reaction with an unknown mechanism. There is inadequate evidence to support the role of aeroallergen sensitization in CSU.
AIM
The present study was conducted to investigate the association between the aeroallergen sensitivity and CSU.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, 91 patients with CSU were recruited. Information on demographic characteristics was collected. The skin prick test (SPT) for most prevalent aeroallergens and pulmonary function test (PFT) were performed and the results were clinically matched to investigate the allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma. Total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) concentration was analysed in the subjects for the presence of atopy.
RESULTS
Ninety one patients (75 of them were females) were enrolled in the study (with a mean age of 36.90 ±12.93 years). SPT result was positive in 75 (82.4%) subjects. Weeds (67 cases, 73.6%), trees (61 cases, 67%), and dust mites (55 cases, 60.4%) were the most common pollens in the positive SPT samples. Thirty-seven (40.7%) of the patients had allergic rhinitis. There was a statistically significant association between the presence of AR and positive SPT result ( = 0.002). Eight patients had allergic asthma and 45 (49.4%) of the patients had a total serum IgE level of more than 100 IU/ml.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicated a clear association between the presence of aeroallergen sensitivity and development of CSU. AR exists as a co-morbidity of CSU.
PubMed: 35369645
DOI: 10.5114/ada.2022.113805 -
The Journal of International Medical... Jan 2020In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of asthma and other allergic diseases among a homogenous group of students attending the health...
OBJECTIVE
In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of asthma and other allergic diseases among a homogenous group of students attending the health colleges of a Saudi university and to investigate the relationship between their atopy profile and associated clinical symptoms of allergic diseases.
METHODS
A total of 222 students completed the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire and underwent skin prick testing (SPT) using a standardized panel of allergenic extracts.
RESULTS
Overall prevalence of physician-diagnosed allergic diseases was 27% for bronchial asthma (BA), 13.1% for atopic dermatitis (AD), and 5% for allergic rhinitis (AR). Atopy was present in 90 (40.5%) students. Students with atopic disease were more likely to have physician-diagnosed BA, AR, and AD. Atopy and polysensitization was more frequent among male than female students. SPT results were positive in 20.8% of participants for Bermuda grass, 18.9% for cat fur, and 12.7% for .
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of atopy and allergic diseases in Saudi young adults is high and worrisome. Comorbid allergic diseases were more prevalent among our participants with atopic disease. Determination of allergen sensitization patterns in patients with atopic disease is crucial for selecting proper preventive and therapeutic strategies.
Topics: Asthma; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dermatitis, Atopic; Female; Humans; Male; Rhinitis, Allergic; Saudi Arabia; Skin Tests; Students; Surveys and Questionnaires; Universities; Young Adult
PubMed: 32008405
DOI: 10.1177/0300060519899760 -
Prilozi (Makedonska Akademija Na... Oct 2021Leptin, as a major adipokine, positively correlates with the body's fat, while atopy is an important feature in the development of childhood asthma. We aimed to evaluate...
Leptin, as a major adipokine, positively correlates with the body's fat, while atopy is an important feature in the development of childhood asthma. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between leptin, parameters of obesity, and atopy in children with asthma. The study included 112 children (73 boys, 39 girls, mean age 11.1±2.4). 41 were overweight, 38 had asthma and a normal body mass index (BMI), and 33 were overweight asthmatics. Serum leptin levels, BMI, waist circumference (WC), and waist to hips ratio (WHR) were measured. Skin prick test (SPT)/CAP, total serum IgE, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), and pulmonary function tests were performed. In asthmatic children, serum leptin median level was 9.2±16.2 ng/ml, in overweight children was 30.6±21.6 ng/ml, and in overweight asthmatics was 31.1±20.3 ng/ml with a significant difference between the groups (p=0.0374), yet with a significantly lower median level in the group of children with asthma compared to the overweight children: with asthma (p=0.00001) and without asthma (p=0.00001). In the three groups of patients, BMI and WC displayed a significant positive correlation with leptin (for BMI r=0.652 vs. r=0.530 vs. r=0.563, respectively and for WC r=0.508 vs. r=0.426 vs. r=0.527, respectively). No significant correlations of leptin within atopy parameters (Eo, IgE, SPT/CAP, FeNO) in all three analyzed groups (p>0.05) was detected. : Atopy was not confirmed as an underlying mechanism of the association between asthma and being overweight. Leptin had a significant linear correlation as a parameter of central obesity with BMI and WC in all three groups, but not with WHR.
Topics: Adolescent; Asthma; Body Mass Index; Child; Female; Humans; Leptin; Male; Obesity; Waist Circumference
PubMed: 34699713
DOI: 10.2478/prilozi-2021-0024 -
Medicine Feb 2016Most studies investigated probiotics on food hypersensitivity, not on oral food challenge confirmed food allergy in children. The authors systematically reviewed the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Most studies investigated probiotics on food hypersensitivity, not on oral food challenge confirmed food allergy in children. The authors systematically reviewed the literature to investigate whether probiotic supplementation prenatally and/or postnatally could reduce the risk of atopy and food hypersensitivity in young children.PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and 4 main Chinese literature databases (Wan Fang, VIP, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and SinoMed) were searched for randomized controlled trials regarding the effect of probiotics on the prevention of allergy in children. The last search was conducted on July 11, 2015.Seventeen trials involving 2947 infants were included. The first follow-up studies were analyzed. Pooled analysis indicated that probiotics administered prenatally and postnatally could reduce the risk of atopy (relative risk [RR] 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.66-0.92; I = 0%), especially when administered prenatally to pregnant mother and postnatally to child (RR 0.71; 95% CI 0.57-0.89; I = 0%), and the risk of food hypersensitivity (RR 0.77; 95% CI 0.61-0.98; I = 0%). When probiotics were administered either only prenatally or only postnatally, no effects of probiotics on atopy and food hypersensitivity were observed.Probiotics administered prenatally and postnatally appears to be a feasible way to prevent atopy and food hypersensitivity in young children. The long-term effects of probiotics, however, remain to be defined in the follow-up of existing trials. Still, studies on probiotics and confirmed food allergy, rather than surrogate measure of food hypersensitivity, are warranted.
Topics: Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Food Hypersensitivity; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Infant; Pregnancy; Probiotics; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 26937896
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000002562 -
PloS One 2020Limited data are available on prevalence and associated risk factors for atopy and allergic diseases from high-altitude urban settings in Latin America.
BACKGROUND
Limited data are available on prevalence and associated risk factors for atopy and allergic diseases from high-altitude urban settings in Latin America.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of atopy, asthma, rhinitis, and eczema, and associations with relevant risk factors in preschool children in the Andean city of Cuenca.
METHODS
A cross-sectional study was undertaken using a representative sample of 535 children aged 3-5 years attending 30 nursery schools in the city of Cuenca, Ecuador. Data on allergic diseases and risk factors were collected by parental questionnaire. Atopy was measured by skin prick test (SPT) reactivity to a panel of relevant aeroallergens. Associations between risk factors and the prevalence of atopy and allergic diseases were estimated using multivariable logistic regression.
RESULTS
Asthma symptoms were reported for 18% of children, rhinitis for 48%, and eczema for 28%, while SPT reactivity was present in 33%. Population fractions of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema attributable to SPT were 3.4%, 7.9%, and 2.9%, respectively. In multivariable models, an increased risk of asthma was observed among children with a maternal history of rhinitis (OR 1.85); rhinitis was significantly increased in children of high compared to low socioeconomic level (OR 2.09), among children with a maternal history of rhinitis (OR 2.29) or paternal history of eczema (OR 2.07), but reduced among children attending daycare (OR 0.64); eczema was associated with a paternal history of eczema (OR 3.73), and SPT was associated with having a dog inside the house (OR 1.67).
CONCLUSIONS
A high prevalence of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema symptoms were observed among preschool children in a high-altitude Andean setting. Despite a high prevalence of atopy, only a small fraction of symptoms was associated with atopy. Parental history of allergic diseases was the most consistent risk factor for symptoms in preschool children.
Topics: Allergens; Asthma; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Ecuador; Eczema; Female; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Male; Prevalence; Rhinitis; Risk Factors; Skin Tests; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 32649729
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234633