ERJ
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
 QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     


This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Permissions
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (26)
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Renz, H.
Right arrow Articles by Herz, U.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Renz, H.
Right arrow Articles by Herz, U.
Eur Respir J 2002; 19:158-171
Copyright ©ERS Journals Ltd 2002


The bidirectional capacity of bacterial antigens to modulate allergy and asthma

H. Renz and U. Herz

Dept of Clinical Chemisty and Molecular Diagnostics, Philipps University Marburg, Germany

CORRESPONDENCE: H. Renz, Central Laboratory, Hospital of the Philipps University, Baldingerstr., D-35033, Marburg, Germany. Fax: 49 64212865594

Keywords: Allergy, asthma, atopy, bacterial antigens, T-helper 1/T-helper 2 balance

Received: March 20, 2001
Accepted June 19, 2001

Abstract

In recent decades, the prevalence of allergic diseases including bronchial asthma, hay fever and atopic dermatitis, has risen steadily in high-income countries. The underlying mechanisms for this phenomenon remain largely unknown. Since the natural mutation rate is low, altered environmental and lifestyle conditions are thought to play an important role.

Epidemiological and clinical studies have provided indirect evidence that infections may prevent the development of atopy and atopic disease. This is referred to as the "hygiene hypothesis". According to the hygiene hypothesis, viral and/or bacterial infections could inhibit the T-helper (Th)-2 immune response associated with atopic reactions by stimulating a Th-1 response involved in defence of bacterial infections and delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions.

In particular, the prenatal period and early childhood are considered to be critical for the establishment and maintenance of a normal Th-1/Th-2 balance. On the other hand, several studies suggested that infections exacerbate established allergic diseases, e.g. bronchial asthma, airway hyperresponsiveness and atopic dermatitis. Therefore, viral and/or microbial infections and/or their products may have bidirectional effects on the development of allergy and asthma.

This review will focus on recent findings related to the interaction between allergic disorders and infectious diseases, with the main emphasis on bacterial infections.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
JEMHome page
M. Harada, K. Magara-Koyanagi, H. Watarai, Y. Nagata, Y. Ishii, S. Kojo, S. Horiguchi, Y. Okamoto, T. Nakayama, N. Suzuki, et al.
IL-21-induced B{varepsilon} cell apoptosis mediated by natural killer T cells suppresses IgE responses
J. Exp. Med., December 25, 2006; 203(13): 2929 - 2937.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Infect. Immun.Home page
G. Rajagopalan, K. Iijima, M. Singh, H. Kita, R. Patel, and C. S. David
Intranasal Exposure to Bacterial Superantigens Induces Airway Inflammation in HLA Class II Transgenic Mice
Infect. Immun., February 1, 2006; 74(2): 1284 - 1296.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Occup. Environ. Med.Home page
K Radon
THE TWO SIDES OF THE "ENDOTOXIN COIN"
Occup. Environ. Med., January 1, 2006; 63(1): 73 - 78.
[Full Text] [PDF]




HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 2002 by the European Respiratory Society.