Concepts of the pathogenesis of allergic disease: possible roles of Epstein-Barr virus infection and interleukin-2 production.

The prevalence of atopic diseases in so-called developed countries has risen over the past several decades, which is too short a period for genetic changes to have taken place. Furthermore, the increase has occurred irrespective of race or geographical differences in the prevalence of atopic diseases. These facts strongly suggest that the increase is due not to genetic factor(s) but to environmental factor(s). In this article, previous investigations into the pathogenesis of allergic disease are reviewed. The roles of immune cells, cytokines, oncoproteins and viral infections are examined.