The pathophysiology of the hygiene hypothesis

Prokopakis, Emmanuel P.; Vardouniotis, Alexios; Kawauchi, Hideyuki; Scadding, Glenis K.; Georgalas, Christos; Hellings, Peter W.; Velegrakis, George A.; Kalogjera, Livije

doi:10.1016/j.ijporl.2013.04.036

Cited by 30 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 102 publications

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“…Our wariness of infectious disease led us to become infatuated with preventing microbial exposure, including those essential microbial-host interactions which were only latently understood. Concurrent to this, urbanized populations saw a rise in allergies, asthma, and inflammation-related chronic diseases, many of which were or seemed to be linked to a lack of microbial exposure; a correlation which was described by the Hygiene Hypothesis [18,19]. In response, calls propose to redefine "hygiene" from practices that remove all microbiota to simply acting to prevent the spread of pathogenic microorganisms [20].…”

Section: From Fear To Reluctant Acceptance Of the Microbial Worldmentioning

confidence: 99%

Building upon current knowledge and techniques of indoor microbiology to construct the next era of theory into microorganisms, health, and the built environment

Horve

Lloyd

Mhuireach

et al. 2019

J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol

112

103

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In the constructed habitat in which we spend up to 90% of our time, architectural design influences occupants' behavioral patterns, interactions with objects, surfaces, rituals, the outside environment, and each other. Within this built environment, human behavior and building design contribute to the accrual and dispersal of microorganisms; it is a collection of fomites that transfer microorganisms; reservoirs that collect biomass; structures that induce human or air movement patterns; and space types that encourage proximity or isolation between humans whose personal microbial clouds disperse cells into buildings. There have been recent calls to incorporate building microbiology into occupant health and exposure research and standards, yet the built environment is largely viewed as a repository for microorganisms which are to be eliminated, instead of a habitat which is inexorably linked to the microbial influences of building inhabitants. Health sectors have re-evaluated the role of microorganisms in health, incorporating microorganisms into prevention and treatment protocols, yet no paradigm shift has occurred with respect to microbiology of the built environment, despite calls to do so. Technological and logistical constraints often preclude our ability to link health outcomes to indoor microbiology, yet sufficient study exists to inform the theory and implementation of the next era of research and intervention in the built environment. This review presents built environment characteristics in relation to human health and disease, explores some of the current experimental strategies and interventions which explore health in the built environment, and discusses an emerging model for fostering indoor microbiology rather than fearing it.

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Section: From Fear To Reluctant Acceptance Of the Microbial Worldmentioning

confidence: 99%

Building upon current knowledge and techniques of indoor microbiology to construct the next era of theory into microorganisms, health, and the built environment

Horve

Lloyd

Mhuireach

et al. 2019

J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol

112

103

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Several factors, such as the route and the period of exposure, the dose, and the genetic background of each patient determine the outcome of the immune response to the pathogens. 64…”

Section: Hygiene Hypothesismentioning

confidence: 99%

Asthma risk factors

Toskala

Kennedy

2015

Int Forum Allergy Rhinol

165

122

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Asthma represents a dysfunctional interaction with our genes and the environment to which they are exposed, especially in fetal and early infant life. The increasing prevalence of asthma in all age groups indicate that our living environment and immunity are in imbalance with each other reacting with airway inflammation to the environmental exposures and often non-harmful proteins, such as allergens causing the current "asthma and allergy epidemic." Because of the close relationship between asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis, it is important that otolaryngologists have a good understanding of asthma, the etiologic factors associated with disease, and its evaluation and management.

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“…The hypothesis is supported by evidence showing that children who grow up in large families are at greater risk of coming into contact with more infections, promoting T helper (TH)-1 immune responses, whereas children from smaller families are more likely to have TH-2 type responses and a higher risk of atopy. 2 The hygiene hypothesis remains controversial, however, as it is unable to fully explain many associations, including the rise of allergies in "unhygienic" inner-city environments, and why probiotics are ineffective at preventing allergic diseases. 3 Thumb-sucking and nail-biting are common oral habits among children, although the reported prevalence varies widely, from <1% to 25%.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Thumb-Sucking, Nail-Biting, and Atopic Sensitization, Asthma, and Hay Fever

2016

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The hygiene hypothesis suggests that early-life exposure to microbial organisms reduces the risk of developing allergies. Thumb-sucking and nail-biting are common childhood habits that may increase microbial exposures. We tested the hypothesis that children who suck their thumbs or bite their nails have a lower risk of developing atopy, asthma, and hay fever in a population-based birth cohort followed to adulthood.

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The pathophysiology of the hygiene hypothesis

Cited by 30 publications

References 102 publications

Building upon current knowledge and techniques of indoor microbiology to construct the next era of theory into microorganisms, health, and the built environment

Building upon current knowledge and techniques of indoor microbiology to construct the next era of theory into microorganisms, health, and the built environment

Asthma risk factors

Thumb-Sucking, Nail-Biting, and Atopic Sensitization, Asthma, and Hay Fever

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