-
Frontiers in Immunology 2022Atopic disorders, including atopic dermatitis, food and environmental allergies, and asthma, are increasingly prevalent diseases. Atopic disorders are often associated... (Review)
Review
Atopic disorders, including atopic dermatitis, food and environmental allergies, and asthma, are increasingly prevalent diseases. Atopic disorders are often associated with eosinophilia, driven by T helper type 2 (Th2) immune responses, and triggered by disrupted barrier function leading to abnormal immune priming in a susceptible host. Immune deficiencies, in contrast, occur with a significantly lower incidence, but are associated with greater morbidity and mortality. A subset of atopic disorders with eosinophilia and elevated IgE are associated with monogenic inborn errors of immunity (IEI). In this review, we discuss current knowledge of IEI that are associated with atopy and the lessons these immunologic disorders provide regarding the fundamental mechanisms that regulate type 2 immunity in humans. We also discuss further mechanistic insights provided by animal models.
Topics: Animals; Dermatitis, Atopic; Disease Susceptibility; Eosinophilia; Immune System; Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes
PubMed: 35572516
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.860821 -
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical... May 2014Whether adiposity indicators other than body mass index (BMI) should be used in studies of childhood asthma is largely unknown. The role of atopy in "obese asthma" is... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Whether adiposity indicators other than body mass index (BMI) should be used in studies of childhood asthma is largely unknown. The role of atopy in "obese asthma" is also unclear.
OBJECTIVES
To examine the relationship among adiposity indicators, asthma, and atopy in Puerto Rican children, and to assess whether atopy mediates the obesity-asthma association.
METHODS
In a study of Puerto Rican children with (n = 351) and without (n = 327) asthma, we measured BMI, percent of body fat, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio. The outcomes studied included asthma, lung function, measures of atopy, and, among cases, indicators of asthma severity or control. We performed mediation analysis to assess the contribution of atopy to the relationship between adiposity and asthma.
RESULTS
BMI, percent of body fat, and waist circumference were associated with increased odds of asthma. Among cases, all 3 measures were generally associated with lung function, asthma severity/control, and atopy; however, there were differences depending on the adiposity indicator analyzed. Atopy considerably mediated the adiposity-asthma association in this population: allergic rhinitis accounted for 22% to 53% of the association with asthma, and sensitization to cockroach mediated 13% to 20% of the association with forced vital capacity and 29% to 42% of the association with emergency department visits for asthma.
CONCLUSIONS
Adiposity indicators are associated with asthma, asthma severity/control, and atopy in Puerto Rican children. Atopy significantly mediates the effect of adiposity on asthma outcomes. Longitudinal studies are needed to further investigate the causal role, if any, of adiposity distribution and atopy on "obese asthma" in childhood.
Topics: Adiposity; Adolescent; Asthma; Body Mass Index; Child; Female; Hispanic or Latino; Humans; Male; Obesity; Puerto Rico; Respiratory Function Tests; Rhinitis, Allergic; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial; Waist Circumference; Waist-Hip Ratio
PubMed: 24290290
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2013.09.041 -
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 -
Frontiers in Allergy Dec 2020Atopic diseases, particularly atopic dermatitis (AD), asthma, and allergic rhinitis (AR) share a common pathogenesis of inflammation and barrier dysfunction. Epithelial...
Atopic diseases, particularly atopic dermatitis (AD), asthma, and allergic rhinitis (AR) share a common pathogenesis of inflammation and barrier dysfunction. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process where epithelial cells take on a migratory mesenchymal phenotype and is essential for normal tissue repair and signal through multiple inflammatory pathways. However, while links between EMT and both asthma and AR have been demonstrated, as we outline in this mini-review, the literature investigating AD and EMT is far less well-elucidated. Furthermore, current studies on EMT and atopy are mostly animal models or studies on cell cultures or tissue biopsies. The literature covered in this mini-review on EMT-related barrier dysfunction as a contributor to AD as well as the related (perhaps resultant) atopic diseases indicates a potential for therapeutic targeting and carry treatment implications for topical steroid use and environmental exposure assessments. Further research, particularly studies, may greatly advance the field and translate into benefit for patients and families.
PubMed: 34308414
DOI: 10.3389/falgy.2020.628381 -
Annals of the American Thoracic Society Mar 2016The rapid rise in childhood allergies (atopy) in Westernized nations has implicated associated environmental exposures and lifestyles as primary drivers of disease... (Review)
Review
The rapid rise in childhood allergies (atopy) in Westernized nations has implicated associated environmental exposures and lifestyles as primary drivers of disease development. Culture-based microbiological studies indicate that atopy has demonstrable ties to altered gut microbial colonization in very early life. Infants who exhibit more severe multisensitization to food- or aero-allergens have a significantly higher risk of subsequently developing asthma in childhood. Hence an emerging hypothesis posits that environment- or lifestyle-driven aberrancies in the early-life gut microbiome composition and by extension, microbial function, represent a key mediator of childhood allergic asthma. Animal studies support this hypothesis. Environmental microbial exposures epidemiologically associated with allergy protection in humans confer protection against airway allergy in mice. In addition, gut microbiome-derived short-chain fatty acids produced from a high-fiber diet have been shown to protect against allergy via modulation of both local and remote mucosal immunity as well as hematopoietic antigen-presenting cell populations. Here we review key data supporting the concept of a gut-airway axis and its critical role in childhood atopy.
Topics: Animals; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Gastrointestinal Tract; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Immunity, Mucosal; Respiratory System
PubMed: 27027953
DOI: 10.1513/AnnalsATS.201507-451MG -
Thorax Mar 2014Rural residence is protective against atopy and wheeze-rhinitis-eczema symptoms in developed countries, an effect attributed to farming and poor hygiene exposures. There... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
BACKGROUND
Rural residence is protective against atopy and wheeze-rhinitis-eczema symptoms in developed countries, an effect attributed to farming and poor hygiene exposures. There are few data from developing countries addressing this question. We compared atopy and wheeze-rhinitis-eczema symptoms between urban and rural Ecuador, and explored the effects of farming and poor hygiene exposures.
METHODS
We performed cross sectional studies of schoolchildren living in rural and urban Ecuador. Data on symptoms and farming/hygiene exposures were collected by parental questionnaire, atopy by allergen skin prick test reactivity and geohelminth infections by stool examinations.
RESULTS
Among 2526 urban and 4295 rural schoolchildren, prevalence was: atopy (10.0% vs 12.5%, p=0.06), wheeze (9.4% vs 10.1%, p=0.05), rhinitis (8.1% vs 6.4%, p=0.02) and eczema (5.9% vs 4.7%, p=0.06). A small proportion of symptoms were attributable to atopy (range 3.9-10.7%) with greater attributable fractions for respiratory symptoms observed in urban schoolchildren. Respiratory symptoms were associated with poor hygiene/farming exposures: wheeze with lack of access to potable water; and rhinitis with household pets, no bathroom facilities and contact with large farm animals. Birth order was inversely associated with respiratory symptoms. Area of residence and atopy had few effects on these associations.
CONCLUSIONS
Urban schoolchildren living in Ecuador have a similar prevalence of atopy, eczema and wheeze but a higher prevalence of rhinitis compared with rural children. Some farming and poor hygiene exposures were associated with an increase in the prevalence of wheeze or rhinitis while birth order was inversely associated with these symptoms.
Topics: Adolescent; Allergens; Animals; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Ecuador; Eczema; Feces; Female; Housing; Humans; Hygiene; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Male; Prevalence; Respiratory Sounds; Rhinitis; Risk Factors; Rural Population; Schools; Skin Tests; Students; Surveys and Questionnaires; Urban Population
PubMed: 24105783
DOI: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2013-203818 -
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 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2022Atopy is a genetic condition predisposing individuals to develop immunoglobulin E (IgE) against common allergens through T-helper 2 (Th2) polarization mechanisms. The...
BACKGROUND
Atopy is a genetic condition predisposing individuals to develop immunoglobulin E (IgE) against common allergens through T-helper 2 (Th2) polarization mechanisms. The impact of atopy on graft survival in solid organ transplantation is unknown.
METHODOLOGY
We analyzed 268 renal allograft recipients from the Swiss Transplant Cohort Study, a prospective multicenter cohort studying patients after solid organ transplantation, with a 9-year median follow-up (IQR 3.0). We used the Phadiatop assay to measure IgE antibodies against a mixture of common inhaled allergens (grass, tree, herbs, spores, animals, and mites) to identify pre-transplantation atopic patients (>0.35 KU/L).
RESULTS
Of 268 kidney transplant recipients, 66 individuals were atopic (24.6%). Atopic patients were significantly younger than non-atopic patients (49.6 vs 58.0 years old, P = 0.002). No significant difference was found for gender, cold/warm ischemia time, preformed donor-specific antibodies (DSA), HLA mismatches, induction and maintenance immunosuppressive therapy, CMV serostatus, or cause of kidney failure. Patient and graft survival at ten years of follow-up were significantly better in the atopic group, 95.2% versus 69.2% patient survival (P < 0.001), and 87.9% versus 60.8% graft survival (P < 0.001), respectively. A multivariate Cox analysis revealed that atopy predicted recipient and graft survival independently of age and living donor donation. Finally, we found similar rates of biopsy-proven acute cellular and antibody-mediated rejections between atopic and non-atopic recipients.
CONCLUSION
Atopy was associated with better long-term patient and graft survival, independently of age and living donor donation after kidney transplantation. Yet, atopy should not be used as a predictor for acute rejection.
Topics: Humans; Graft Survival; Kidney Transplantation; Graft Rejection; Cohort Studies; Prospective Studies; Living Donors; Immunoglobulin E
PubMed: 36263051
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.997364 -
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 -
Psychological Medicine Jan 2017Prior studies have suggested a relationship between atopy and mental health, although methodological barriers have limited the generalizability of these findings. The...
BACKGROUND
Prior studies have suggested a relationship between atopy and mental health, although methodological barriers have limited the generalizability of these findings. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between early-life atopy and vulnerability to mental health problems among youth in the community.
METHOD
Data were drawn from the Raine Study (N = 2868), a population-based birth cohort study in Western Australia. Logistic regression and generalized estimating equations were used to examine the relationship between atopy at ages 1-5 years [using parent report and objective biological confirmation (sera IgE)], and the range of internalizing and externalizing mental health problems at ages 5-17 years.
RESULTS
Atopy appears to be associated with increased vulnerability to affective and anxiety problems, compared to youth without atopy. These associations remained significant after adjusting for a range of potential confounders. No relationship was evident between atopy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or externalizing problems.
CONCLUSIONS
Findings are the first linking atopy (measured by both parent report and objective verification) with increased vulnerability to affective and anxiety problems. Therefore, replication is required. If replicated, future research aimed at understanding the possible biological and/or social and environmental pathways underlying these links is needed. Such information could shed light on shared pathways that could lead to more effective treatments for both atopy and internalizing mental health problems.
Topics: Adolescent; Anxiety Disorders; Child; Child, Preschool; Cohort Studies; Comorbidity; Disease Susceptibility; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Infant; Mood Disorders; Respiratory Hypersensitivity; Western Australia
PubMed: 27762174
DOI: 10.1017/S0033291716001896