IL33-IL1RL1 pathway polymorphisms are associated with asthma and specific wheezing phenotypes; that is, most SNPs are associated with intermediate-onset wheeze, a phenotype closely associated with sensitization. We speculate that IL33-IL1RL1 pathway polymorphisms affect development of wheeze and subsequent asthma through sensitization in early childhood.

ObjectiveTo examine the associations between pet keeping in early childhood and asthma and allergies in children aged 6–10 years.DesignPooled analysis of individual participant data of 11 prospective European birth cohorts that recruited a total of over 22,000 children in the 1990s.Exposure definitionOwnership of only cats, dogs, birds, rodents, or cats/dogs combined during the first 2 years of life.Outcome definitionCurrent asthma (primary outcome), allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis and allergic sensitization during 6–10 years of age.Data synthesisThree-step approach: (i) Common definition of outcome and exposure variables across cohorts; (ii) calculation of adjusted effect estimates for each cohort; (iii) pooling of effect estimates by using random effects meta-analysis models.ResultsWe found no association between furry and feathered pet keeping early in life and asthma in school age. For example, the odds ratio for asthma comparing cat ownership with “no pets” (10 studies, 11489 participants) was 1.00 (95% confidence interval 0.78 to 1.28) (I2 = 9%; p = 0.36). The odds ratio for asthma comparing dog ownership with “no pets” (9 studies, 11433 participants) was 0.77 (0.58 to 1.03) (I2 = 0%, p = 0.89). Owning both cat(s) and dog(s) compared to “no pets” resulted in an odds ratio of 1.04 (0.59 to 1.84) (I2 = 33%, p = 0.18). Similarly, for allergic asthma and for allergic rhinitis we did not find associations regarding any type of pet ownership early in life. However, we found some evidence for an association between ownership of furry pets during the first 2 years of life and reduced likelihood of becoming sensitized to aero-allergens.ConclusionsPet ownership in early life did not appear to either increase or reduce the risk of asthma or allergic rhinitis symptoms in children aged 6–10. Advice from health care practitioners to avoid or to specifically acquire pets for primary prevention of asthma or allergic rhinitis in children should not be given.

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We report a genetic association with a tSNP in ULK1, an interesting candidate gene for IBD, given the role of ULK1 in autophagy initiation, and the interaction between Nod2 and autophagy pathways. To further clarify the role of ULK1 in CD, an in-depth investigation of the variation in the region and possible role for copy number variation in this region should be evaluated.