Insight into Inflammatory Bowel Disease Pathogenesis: Is the Answer Blowing in the Wind?

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are conditions characterized by immune dysregulation to a trigger in those with a genetic predisposition. Environmental factors are thought to contribute to IBD, but no definite trigger has been identified. Aeroallergens have not been thoroughly investigated in their potential contribution to the pathogenesis to IBD. The geographic distribution of aeroallergens and IBD, the association of atopic disease with IBD, seasonality and IBD, and cross-reactive food allergens require further study with implications for targeted dietary and immunomodulatory therapies.