BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies have suggested that gastro-intestinal infections including Helicobacter pylori, intestinal microflora (commensal bacteria) and geohelminths may influence the risk of asthma and allergy but data from early life are lacking. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the independent effects of these infections on allergic disease symptoms and sensitization in an Ethiopian birth cohort. METHODS: In 2008/09, 878 children (87% of the 1006 original singletons in a population-based birth cohort) were followed up at age 3 and interview data obtained on allergic symptoms and potential confounders. Allergen skin tests to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and cockroach were performed, levels of Der p 1 and Bla g 1 in the child's bedding measured and stool samples analysed for geohelminths and, in a random subsample, enterococci, lactobacilli, bifidobacteria and H. pylori antigen. The independent effects of each exposure on wheeze, eczema, hayfever and sensitization were determined using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Children were commonly infected with H. pylori (41%; 253/616), enterococci (38.1%; 207/544), lactobacilli (31.1%; 169/544) and bifidobacteria (18.9%; 103/544) whereas geohelminths were only found in 8.5% (75/866). H. pylori infection was associated with a borderline significant reduced risk of eczema (adjusted OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.24-1.01, P=0.05) and D. pteronyssinus sensitization (adjusted OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.17-1.08, P=0.07). Geohelminths and intestinal microflora were not significantly associated with any of the outcomes measured. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Among young children in a developing country, we found evidence to support the hypothesis of a protective effect of H. pylori infection on the risk of allergic disease. Further investigation of the mechanism of this effect is therefore of potential therapeutic and preventive value.
BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies have suggested that gastro-intestinal infections including Helicobacter pylori, intestinal microflora (commensal bacteria) and geohelminths may influence the risk of asthma and allergy but data from early life are lacking. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the independent effects of these infections on allergic disease symptoms and sensitization in an Ethiopian birth cohort. METHODS: In 2008/09, 878 children (87% of the 1006 original singletons in a population-based birth cohort) were followed up at age 3 and interview data obtained on allergic symptoms and potential confounders. Allergen skin tests to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and cockroach were performed, levels of Der p 1 and Bla g 1 in the child's bedding measured and stool samples analysed for geohelminths and, in a random subsample, enterococci, lactobacilli, bifidobacteria and H. pylori antigen. The independent effects of each exposure on wheeze, eczema, hayfever and sensitization were determined using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS:Children were commonly infected with H. pylori (41%; 253/616), enterococci (38.1%; 207/544), lactobacilli (31.1%; 169/544) and bifidobacteria (18.9%; 103/544) whereas geohelminths were only found in 8.5% (75/866). H. pyloriinfection was associated with a borderline significant reduced risk of eczema (adjusted OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.24-1.01, P=0.05) and D. pteronyssinus sensitization (adjusted OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.17-1.08, P=0.07). Geohelminths and intestinal microflora were not significantly associated with any of the outcomes measured. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Among young children in a developing country, we found evidence to support the hypothesis of a protective effect of H. pyloriinfection on the risk of allergic disease. Further investigation of the mechanism of this effect is therefore of potential therapeutic and preventive value.
Authors: Lucia Pacifico; John F Osborn; Valeria Tromba; Sara Romaggioli; Stefano Bascetta; Claudio Chiesa Journal: World J Gastroenterol Date: 2014-02-14 Impact factor: 5.742
Authors: W J den Hollander; A M M Sonnenschein-van der Voort; I L Holster; J C de Jongste; V W Jaddoe; A Hofman; G I Perez-Perez; H A Moll; M J Blaser; L Duijts; E J Kuipers Journal: Aliment Pharmacol Ther Date: 2016-03-01 Impact factor: 8.171
Authors: Andreas Kyburz; Angela Fallegger; Xiaozhou Zhang; Aleksandra Altobelli; Mariela Artola-Boran; Timothy Borbet; Sabine Urban; Petra Paul; Christian Münz; Stefan Floess; Jochen Huehn; Timothy L Cover; Martin J Blaser; Christian Taube; Anne Müller Journal: J Allergy Clin Immunol Date: 2018-09-19 Impact factor: 10.793