Early events in atopy

Abstract

because identification of the atopic newborn is now possible, adequate early prevention can be instigated.

Cigarette smoking and allergic sensitization: A 32-year population-based cohort study

“…Although the reduced odds of atopy in our study was not statistically significant after adjustment for multiple confounders, a trend to a lower prevalence of atopy remained, and the data clearly do not support the apparently widespread belief that environmental tobacco smoke exposure increases allergic sensitization in children. [2][3][4][5][6] The finding that personal smoking was associated with a lower incidence of allergic sensitization in adolescence and adulthood supports findings from previous longitudinal and cross-sectional studies and extends them in a number of important ways. To our knowledge, this is the first study to follow the effects of smoking on atopic sensitization in a large sample of people from adolescence to adulthood.…”

“…Despite this uncertainty, avoiding exposure to cigarette smoke is frequently recommended to reduce the risk of allergic sensitization, particularly for children with a family history of atopic disease. [2][3][4][5][6] A meta-analysis of the effects of parental smoking either before or after birth found no convincing evidence of an effect on objective indicators of allergic sensitization in children. 7 The meta-analysis identified significant heterogeneity between studies, many of which did not control for potential confounding influences.…”

Immune mechanisms leading to atopic dermatitis

“…The generally held belief is that human fetal lymphocytes are skewed toward a T H 2 profile as a consequence of intrauterine priming by placental cytokines and hormones and possibly by transplacental allergen exposure. 27,28 The downregulation of the T H 2-type immunity and the T H 2 skewing at the maternofetal interface during gestation is regarded as beneficial for the maintenance of pregnancy. Furthermore, it is hypothesized that T H 1 cytokines, such as IFN-γ, can damage the placenta by the activation of cytotoxic cells.…”

“…Factors of the modern lifestyle, such as the use of antibiotics, the reduction of family size, and the increase of hygienic strategies leading to decreased bacterial stimulation, support the development of a T H 2 predominance in the immune system. [28][29][30][31] Other risk factors for atopic diseases include low birth weight, maternal smoking, early infection with respiratory syncytial virus, and vaccination against Bordetella pertussis. 32 Furthermore, alterations in the intestinal microbial microflora in infants in western societies underlie a deficit of specific microbial strains, which drive a protective effect on the development of allergic diseases by the induction of contraregulatory cytokines, such as IL-10 and TGF-β.…”

Tabakabh�ngigkeit und die Folgen auf die Haut

“…In neueren Modellen spielt zunehmend eine gestörte T-Helfer-Lymphozyten-Balance eine wichtige Rolle in der Pathogenese der atopischen Dermatitis.Dabei scheint sich das Gleichgewicht zwischen Th1-und Th2-Lymphozyten zu Gunsten der Th2-Lymphozyten zu verschieben [48].…”