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Mkhize‐Kwitshana ZL, Naidoo P, Nkwanyana NM, Mabaso MLH. Concurrent allergy and helminthiasis in underprivileged urban South African adults previously residing in rural areas. Parasite Immunol 2022; 44:e12913. [PMID: 35188279 PMCID: PMC9539504 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated whether prior exposure to helminths (Ascaris IgE, Ascaris eggs and Trichuris eggs) either in childhood or in adulthood, and residence in rural and resource‐limited urban areas influence allergy outcomes (asthma, rhinitis, IgE atopy and food allergy) in a South African population. Participants historical and present allergies data were collected through questionnaires and clinical record files. Coproscopy and immunoassays (ImmunoCAPTM Phadiatop, total IgE and allergen‐specific fx3 IgE immunoassays and Ascaris IgE radioallergosorbent [RAST] tests) were used for active helminthiasis and allergy screens respectively. Data were analysed using logistic regression analysis, and models were adjusted for age, gender and locality. High Ascaris IgE was significantly associated with asthma (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.20, p = .047), IgE atopy (aOR = 18.18, p < .0001) and food allergy (aOR = 14.47, p < .0001). Asthma was significantly less likely among participants with Ascaris eggs (aOR = 0.43, p = .048) and Trichuris eggs (aOR = 0.36, p = .024). The findings of co‐occurrent helminthiasis and allergic disorders in a population that has resided both in rural and peri‐urban informal settlements both oppose and agree with two main notions of the hygiene hypothesis that (i) individuals residing in rural settings with poor sanitation and geohelminth infection are less prone to allergy, and (ii) helminth infections protect against allergy respectively. Further research is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zilungile L. Mkhize‐Kwitshana
- Department of Medical Microbiology School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences College of Health Sciences Nelson R. Mandela Medical School Campus University of KwaZulu‐Natal Durban South Africa 4001
- Research Capacity Development Division South African Medical Research Council Tygerberg, Cape Town South Africa 7505
| | - Pragalathan Naidoo
- Department of Medical Microbiology School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences College of Health Sciences Nelson R. Mandela Medical School Campus University of KwaZulu‐Natal Durban South Africa 4001
- Research Capacity Development Division South African Medical Research Council Tygerberg, Cape Town South Africa 7505
| | - Ntombifikile M. Nkwanyana
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine School of Nursing and Public Health College of Health Sciences Howard College University of KwaZulu Natal Durban South Africa 4041
| | - Musawenkosi L. H. Mabaso
- Human Sciences Research Council (HAST) The Atrium, 5th Floor, 430 Peter Mokaba Street Berea, Durban South Africa 4001
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Bozigar M, Lawson AB, Pearce JL, Svendsen ER, Vena JE. Using Bayesian time-stratified case-crossover models to examine associations between air pollution and "asthma seasons" in a low air pollution environment. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0260264. [PMID: 34879071 PMCID: PMC8654232 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Many areas of the United States have air pollution levels typically below Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulatory limits. Most health effects studies of air pollution use meteorological (e.g., warm/cool) or astronomical (e.g., solstice/equinox) definitions of seasons despite evidence suggesting temporally-misaligned intra-annual periods of relative asthma burden (i.e., “asthma seasons”). We introduce asthma seasons to elucidate whether air pollutants are associated with seasonal differences in asthma emergency department (ED) visits in a low air pollution environment. Within a Bayesian time-stratified case-crossover framework, we quantify seasonal associations between highly resolved estimates of six criteria air pollutants, two weather variables, and asthma ED visits among 66,092 children ages 5–19 living in South Carolina (SC) census tracts from 2005 to 2014. Results show that coarse particulates (particulate matter <10 μm and >2.5 μm: PM10-2.5) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) may contribute to asthma ED visits across years, but are particularly implicated in the highest-burden fall asthma season. Fine particulate matter (<2.5 μm: PM2.5) is only associated in the lowest-burden summer asthma season. Relatively cool and dry conditions in the summer asthma season and increased temperatures in the spring and fall asthma seasons are associated with increased ED visit odds. Few significant associations in the medium-burden winter and medium-high-burden spring asthma seasons suggest other ED visit drivers (e.g., viral infections) for each, respectively. Across rural and urban areas characterized by generally low air pollution levels, there are acute health effects associated with particulate matter, but only in the summer and fall asthma seasons and differing by PM size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Bozigar
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Andrew B. Lawson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - John L. Pearce
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Erik R. Svendsen
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - John E. Vena
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
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Sofiev M, Palamarchuk Y, Bédard A, Basagana X, Anto JM, Kouznetsov R, Urzua RD, Bergmann KC, Fonseca JA, De Vries G, Van Erd M, Annesi-Maesano I, Laune D, Pépin JL, Jullian-Desayes I, Zeng S, Czarlewski W, Bousquet J. A demonstration project of Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases: Prediction of interactions between air pollution and allergen exposure-the Mobile Airways Sentinel NetworK-Impact of air POLLution on Asthma and Rhinitis approach. Chin Med J (Engl) 2020; 133:1561-1567. [PMID: 32649522 PMCID: PMC7386352 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000000916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
This review analyzes the state and recent progress in the field of information support for pollen allergy sufferers. For decades, information available for the patients and allergologists consisted of pollen counts, which are vital but insufficient. New technology paves the way to substantial increase in amount and diversity of the data. This paper reviews old and newly suggested methods to predict pollen and air pollutant concentrations in the air and proposes an allergy risk concept, which combines the pollen and pollution information and transforms it into a qualitative risk index. This new index is available in an app (Mobile Airways Sentinel NetworK-air) that was developed in the frame of the European Union grant Impact of Air POLLution on sleep, Asthma and Rhinitis (a project of European Institute of Innovation and Technology-Health). On-going transformation of the pollen allergy information support is based on new technological solutions for pollen and air quality monitoring and predictions. The new information-technology and artificial-intelligence-based solutions help to convert this information into easy-to-use services for both medical practitioners and allergy sufferers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail Sofiev
- Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI), Helsinki 00560, Finland
| | | | - Annabelle Bédard
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona 08003, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBER) Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona 08003, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Xavier Basagana
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona 08003, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBER) Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona 08003, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona 08003, Spain
- Institut Hospital del Mar d’Investigacions Mediques (IMIM), Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Josep M. Anto
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona 08003, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBER) Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona 08003, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona 08003, Spain
- Institut Hospital del Mar d’Investigacions Mediques (IMIM), Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | | | | | - Karl Christian Bergmann
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Uniersität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Comprehensive Allergy-Centre, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Berlin 10117, Germany
| | - Joao A. Fonseca
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Center for Research in Health Technology and Information Systems, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto; and Medida, Lda Porto s/n 4200-450, Portugal
| | | | | | - Isabella Annesi-Maesano
- Epidemiology of Allergic and Respiratory Diseases Department, Institute Pierre Louis of Epidemiology and Public Health, INSERM and Sorbonne Université, Medical School Saint Antoine, Paris 75571, France
| | | | - Jean Louis Pépin
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Laboratoire HP2, Grenoble, INSERM, U1042 and CHU de Grenoble, Grenoble 38000, France
| | - Ingrid Jullian-Desayes
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Laboratoire HP2, Grenoble, INSERM, U1042 and CHU de Grenoble, Grenoble 38000, France
| | | | | | - Jean Bousquet
- University Hospital Montpellier, Montpellier 34000, France
- Contre les Maladies Chroniques pour un Vieillissement Actif en Languedoc Roussillon-France, Montpellier, France
- Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Comprehensive Allergy Center, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Berlin 10117, Germany
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Erbas B, Jazayeri M, Lambert KA, Katelaris CH, Prendergast LA, Tham R, Parrodi MJ, Davies J, Newbigin E, Abramson MJ, Dharmage S. Outdoor pollen is a trigger of child and adolescent asthma emergency department presentations: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Allergy 2018; 73:1632-1641. [PMID: 29331087 DOI: 10.1111/all.13407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the context of increased asthma exacerbations associated with climatic changes such as thunderstorm asthma, interest in establishing the link between pollen exposure and asthma hospital admissions has intensified. Here, we systematically reviewed and performed a meta-analysis of studies on pollen and emergency department (ED) attendance. METHODS A search for studies with appropriate search strategy in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and CINAHL was conducted. Each study was assessed for quality and risk of bias. The available evidence was summarized both qualitatively and meta-analysed using random-effects models when moderate heterogeneity was observed. RESULTS Fourteen studies were included. The pollen taxa investigated differed between studies, allowing meta-analysis only of the effect of grass pollen. A statistically significant increase in the percentage change in the mean number of asthma ED presentations (MPC) (pooled results from 3 studies) was observed for an increase in 10 grass pollen grains per cubic metre of exposure 1.88% (95% CI = 0.94%, 2.82%). Time series studies showed positive correlations between pollen concentrations and ED presentations. Age-stratified studies found strongest associations in children aged 5-17 years old. CONCLUSION Exposure to ambient grass pollen is an important trigger for childhood asthma exacerbations requiring ED attendance. As pollen exposure is increasingly a problem especially in relation to thunderstorm asthma, studies with uniform measures of pollen and similar analytical methods are necessary to fully understand its impact on human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- B. Erbas
- School of Psychology and Public Health; La Trobe University; Bundoora Vic. Australia
| | - M. Jazayeri
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics; La Trobe University; Bundoora Vic. Australia
| | - K. A. Lambert
- School of Psychology and Public Health; La Trobe University; Bundoora Vic. Australia
| | - C. H. Katelaris
- Department of Medicine, Immunology and Allergy; Campbelltown Hospital; Western Sydney University; Campbelltown NSW Australia
| | - L. A. Prendergast
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics; La Trobe University; Bundoora Vic. Australia
| | - R. Tham
- Allergy and Lung Health Unit; Melbourne School of Population and Global Health; University of Melbourne; Melbourne Vic. Australia
| | - M. J. Parrodi
- School of Psychology and Public Health; La Trobe University; Bundoora Vic. Australia
| | - J. Davies
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation; Queensland University of Technology; South Brisbane Qld Australia
| | - E. Newbigin
- School of Biosciences; University of Melbourne; Melbourne Vic. Australia
| | - M. J. Abramson
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine; Monash University; Melbourne Vic. Australia
| | - S. C. Dharmage
- Allergy and Lung Health Unit; Melbourne School of Population and Global Health; University of Melbourne; Melbourne Vic. Australia
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5
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Lung epithelium: barrier immunity to inhaled fungi and driver of fungal-associated allergic asthma. Curr Opin Microbiol 2017; 40:8-13. [PMID: 29096195 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2017.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Revised: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Fungi are ubiquitous in the environment. The epithelium that lines our airways is the first point of contact with the frequent encounter of inhaled fungi. Consequently, the lung epithelium has evolved behaviors that instruct the earliest immune events to resist fungal penetration. Although the epithelium efficiently assists in immunity to invasive fungi, it also can be inappropriately triggered, to the detriment of the host, by normally innocuous fungi or fungal components. Thus, there is a tipping point of protective immunity against fungal pathogens versus inflammatory disease caused by an exuberant immune response to harmless fungal antigens. This review will discuss several aspects of barrier immunity to pulmonary fungal infection, as well as situations where fungal exposure leads to allergic asthma.
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Impact of respiratory infections, outdoor pollen, and socioeconomic status on associations between air pollutants and pediatric asthma hospital admissions. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0180522. [PMID: 28719626 PMCID: PMC5515410 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0180522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Epidemiology studies have shown that ambient concentrations of ozone and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) are associated with increased emergency department (ED) visits and hospital admissions (HAs) for asthma. Objective Evaluate the impact of outdoor pollen, respiratory infections, and socioeconomic status (SES) on the associations between ambient ozone and PM2.5 and asthma HAs in New York City. Methods Daily ozone, PM2.5, meteorological factors, pollen, and hospitalization records during 1999 to 2009 were obtained for New York City residents. Daily counts of HAs for asthma and respiratory infections were calculated for all-age and specific age groups, and for high- and low-SES communities. Generalized additive models were used to examine ambient concentrations of ozone and PM2.5 and asthma HAs, potential confounding effects of outdoor pollen and HAs for respiratory infections, and potential effect modification by neighborhood SES. Results Both ozone and PM2.5 were statistically significantly associated with increased asthma HAs in children aged 6–18 years (per 10 ppb increase in ozone: RR = 1.0203, 95% CI: 1.0028–1.0382; per 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5: RR = 1.0218, 95% CI: 1.0007–1.0434), but not with total asthma HAs, or asthma HAs in other age groups. These associations were stronger for children living in the high-SES areas. Adjustment for respiratory infection HAs at various lags did not result in changes greater than 10% in the risk estimates for either ozone or PM2.5. In contrast, adjustment for outdoor pollen generally attenuated the estimated RRs for both ozone and PM2.5. Conclusions Ambient ozone and PM2.5 are associated with asthma HAs in school-age children, and these associations are not modified by SES. HAs for respiratory infections do not appear to be a confounder for observed ozone- and PM2.5-asthma HAs associations, but pollen may be a weak confounder.
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Baldacci S, Maio S, Cerrai S, Sarno G, Baïz N, Simoni M, Annesi-Maesano I, Viegi G. Allergy and asthma: Effects of the exposure to particulate matter and biological allergens. Respir Med 2015; 109:1089-104. [PMID: 26073963 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2015.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2014] [Revised: 05/08/2015] [Accepted: 05/19/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of asthma and allergies including atopy has increased during the past decades, particularly in westernized countries. The rapid rise in the prevalence of such diseases cannot be explained by genetic factors alone. Rapid urbanization and industrialization throughout the world have increased air pollution and population exposures, so that most epidemiologic studies are focusing on possible links between air pollution and respiratory diseases. Furthermore, a growing body of evidence shows that chemical air pollution may interact with airborne allergens enhancing the risk of atopic sensitization and exacerbation of symptoms in sensitized subjects. These phenomena are supported by current in vitro and animal studies showing that the combined exposure to air pollutants and allergens may have a synergistic or additive effect on asthma and allergies, although there is an insufficient evidence about this link at the population level. Further research is needed in order to elucidate the mechanisms by which pollutants and biological allergens induce damage in exposed subjects. The abatement of the main risk factors for asthma and allergic diseases may achieve huge health benefits. Thus, it is important to raise awareness of respiratory allergies as serious chronic diseases which place a heavy burden on patients and on society as a whole.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Baldacci
- Pulmonary Environmental Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Clinical Physiology, CNR, Pisa, Italy.
| | - S Maio
- Pulmonary Environmental Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Clinical Physiology, CNR, Pisa, Italy
| | - S Cerrai
- Pulmonary Environmental Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Clinical Physiology, CNR, Pisa, Italy
| | - G Sarno
- Pulmonary Environmental Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Clinical Physiology, CNR, Pisa, Italy
| | - N Baïz
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR-S 1136, Institute Pierre Louis of Epidémiology and Public Health, Epidemiology of Allergic and Respiratory Diseases Department, Paris, France; INSERM, UMR-S 1136, IPLESP, EPAR Department, Paris, France
| | - M Simoni
- Pulmonary Environmental Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Clinical Physiology, CNR, Pisa, Italy
| | - I Annesi-Maesano
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR-S 1136, Institute Pierre Louis of Epidémiology and Public Health, Epidemiology of Allergic and Respiratory Diseases Department, Paris, France; INSERM, UMR-S 1136, IPLESP, EPAR Department, Paris, France
| | - G Viegi
- Pulmonary Environmental Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Clinical Physiology, CNR, Pisa, Italy
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Association of Allergic Rhinitis in Female University Students with Socio-economic Factors and Markers of Estrogens Levels. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2015; 884:53-9. [DOI: 10.1007/5584_2015_170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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9
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Alexis NE, Carlsten C. Interplay of air pollution and asthma immunopathogenesis: a focused review of diesel exhaust and ozone. Int Immunopharmacol 2014; 23:347-55. [PMID: 25194677 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2014.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2014] [Accepted: 08/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Controlled human exposure experiments with diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) and ozone serve to illustrate the important role pollutants play in modulating both allergic mechanisms and immune responses to affect the immunopathogenesis of airway diseases such as asthma. For DEP, evidence is stronger for the exacerbation of existing asthma rather than for the development of new disease. To the extent that this enhancement occurs, the augmentation of Th2-type immunity seems to be a common element. For ozone, neutrophilic inflammation, altered immune cell phenotype and function and oxidative stress are all marked responses that likely contribute to underlying immune-inflammatory features of asthma. Evidence is also emerging that unique gene signatures and epigenetic control of immune and inflammatory-based genes are playing important roles in the magnitude of the impact ozone is having on respiratory health. Indeed, the interplay between air pollutants such as DEP and ozone and asthma immunopathogenesis is an ongoing concern in terms of understanding how exposure to these agents can lead to worsening of disease. To this end, asthmatics may be pre-disposed to the deleterious effects of pollutants like ozone, having constitutively modified host defense functions and gene signatures. Although this review has utilized DEP and ozone as example pollutants, more research is needed to better understand the interplay between air pollution in general and asthma immumopathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil E Alexis
- Center for Environmental Medicine Asthma and Lung Biology, Department of Pediatrics, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.
| | - Chris Carlsten
- Department of Medicine and School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Canada
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10
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Nicodemus-Johnson J, Laxman B, Stern RK, Sudi J, Tierney CN, Norwick L, Hogarth DK, McConville JF, Naureckas ET, Sperling AI, Solway J, Krishnan JA, Nicolae DL, White SR, Ober C. Maternal asthma and microRNA regulation of soluble HLA-G in the airway. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2013; 131:1496-503. [PMID: 23534973 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2013.01.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2012] [Revised: 01/17/2013] [Accepted: 01/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We previously reported an interaction between maternal asthma and the child's HLA-G genotype on the child's subsequent risk for asthma. The implicated single nucleotide polymorphism at +3142 disrupted a target site for the microRNA (miR)-152 family. We hypothesized that the interaction effect might be mediated by these miRs. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to test this hypothesis in adults with asthma who are a subset of the same subjects who participated in our earlier family-based studies. METHODS We measured soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (n = 36) and plasma (n = 57) from adult asthmatic subjects with and without a mother with asthma, and HLA-G and miR-152 family (miR-148a, miR-148b, and miR-152) transcript levels in airway epithelial cells from the same subjects. RESULTS miR-148b levels were significantly increased in airway epithelial cells from asthmatic subjects with an asthmatic mother compared with those seen in asthmatic subjects without an asthmatic mother, and +3142 genotypes were associated with sHLA-G concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid among asthmatic subjects with an asthmatic mother but not among those with a nonasthmatic mother. Neither effect was observed in the plasma (sHLA-G) or white blood cells (miRNA). CONCLUSION These combined results are consistent with +3142 allele-specific targeting of HLA-G by the miR-152 family and support our hypothesis that miRNA regulation of sHLA-G in the airway is influenced by both the asthma status of the subject's mother and the subject's genotype. Moreover, we demonstrate that the effects of maternal asthma on the gene regulatory landscape in the airways of the mother's children persist into adulthood.
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Van Den Heuvel RL, Lambrechts N, Verstraelen S, Nelissen IC, Schoeters GER. Chemical sensitization and allergotoxicology. EXPERIENTIA SUPPLEMENTUM (2012) 2012; 101:289-314. [PMID: 22945573 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-7643-8340-4_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Chemical sensitization remains an important environmental and occupational health issue. A wide range of substances have been shown to possess the ability to induce skin sensitization or respiratory sensitization. As a consequence, there is a need to have appropriate methods to identify sensitizing agents. Although a considerable investment has been made in exploring opportunities to develop methods for hazard identification and characterization, there are, as yet, no validated nonanimal methods available. A state of the art of the different in vitro approaches to identify contact and respiratory capacity of chemicals is covered in this chapter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosette L Van Den Heuvel
- Environmental Risk and Health Unit-Toxicology, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO N.V.), Centre for Advanced R&D on Alternative Methods (CARDAM), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium,
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Abstract
Allergic rhinitis affects a large portion of the population. Patients are frequently sensitized to indoor allergens. The most important contributors are house dust mites, pets, and fungi. In very controlled environments where allergen exposure is significantly reduced, individuals have been shown to have clinical improvement in allergic rhinitis and/or asthma symptoms. Achieving sufficient exposure reduction in the home has proven difficult. Nonetheless, evidence exists that demonstrates exposure avoidance can be useful as an adjunct to other therapies, such as pharmacotherapy and immunotherapy, for the treatment of allergic rhinitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert K Bush
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, K4/910 CSC #9988, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792, USA.
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Okada H, Kuhn C, Feillet H, Bach JF. The 'hygiene hypothesis' for autoimmune and allergic diseases: an update. Clin Exp Immunol 2010; 160:1-9. [PMID: 20415844 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2010.04139.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 700] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
According to the 'hygiene hypothesis', the decreasing incidence of infections in western countries and more recently in developing countries is at the origin of the increasing incidence of both autoimmune and allergic diseases. The hygiene hypothesis is based upon epidemiological data, particularly migration studies, showing that subjects migrating from a low-incidence to a high-incidence country acquire the immune disorders with a high incidence at the first generation. However, these data and others showing a correlation between high disease incidence and high socio-economic level do not prove a causal link between infections and immune disorders. Proof of principle of the hygiene hypothesis is brought by animal models and to a lesser degree by intervention trials in humans. Underlying mechanisms are multiple and complex. They include decreased consumption of homeostatic factors and immunoregulation, involving various regulatory T cell subsets and Toll-like receptor stimulation. These mechanisms could originate, to some extent, from changes in microbiota caused by changes in lifestyle, particularly in inflammatory bowel diseases. Taken together, these data open new therapeutic perspectives in the prevention of autoimmune and allergic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Okada
- INSERM U1013, Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, Paris, France
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Abstract
IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by airway inflammation and hyper-responsiveness. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) constitute the guideline-recommended first-line therapy for persistent asthma. However, concerns regarding ICS-related adverse events may contribute to their underutilization by physicians and patients. AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW The currently available published data on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, safety and efficacy of the ICS, ciclesonide, is described. Peer-reviewed publications (1996 - 2009) on the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profile, safety and efficacy of ciclesonide were reviewed. WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN Ciclesonide is delivered as an inactive prodrug, which is cleaved to the active molecule by intracellular esterases located in the lungs. This and other pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties may limit the amount of active molecule outside the lung and may reduce the incidence of side effects. Randomized placebo-controlled studies found that ciclesonide can initiate and maintain disease control in subjects with persistent asthma of all disease severities. Moreover, studies have found that ciclesonide is as effective as other ICSs in establishing and controlling disease symptoms. Controlled clinical trials also showed that ciclesonide is associated with minimal systemic and local treatment-related adverse events. TAKE HOME MESSAGE Published findings indicate that ciclesonide is effective at initiating and maintaining asthma control and is well tolerated, with a positive safety profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip E Korenblat
- Washington University School of Medicine, The Clinical Research Center, LLC, 1040 N Mason Road, Suite 112, St Louis, Missouri 63141, USA.
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Strickland MJ, Darrow LA, Klein M, Flanders WD, Sarnat JA, Waller LA, Sarnat SE, Mulholland JA, Tolbert PE. Short-term associations between ambient air pollutants and pediatric asthma emergency department visits. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2010; 182:307-16. [PMID: 20378732 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.200908-1201oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 274] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Certain outdoor air pollutants cause asthma exacerbations in children. To advance understanding of these relationships, further characterization of the dose-response and pollutant lag effects are needed, as are investigations of pollutant species beyond the commonly measured criteria pollutants. OBJECTIVES Investigate short-term associations between ambient air pollutant concentrations and emergency department visits for pediatric asthma. METHODS Daily counts of emergency department visits for asthma or wheeze among children aged 5 to 17 years were collected from 41 Metropolitan Atlanta hospitals during 1993-2004 (n = 91,386 visits). Ambient concentrations of gaseous pollutants and speciated particulate matter were available from stationary monitors during this time period. Rate ratios for the warm season (May to October) and cold season (November to April) were estimated using Poisson generalized linear models in the framework of a case-crossover analysis. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Both ozone and primary pollutants from traffic sources were associated with emergency department visits for asthma or wheeze; evidence for independent effects of ozone and primary pollutants from traffic sources were observed in multipollutant models. These associations tended to be of the highest magnitude for concentrations on the day of the emergency department visit and were present at relatively low ambient concentrations. CONCLUSIONS Even at relatively low ambient concentrations, ozone and primary pollutants from traffic sources independently contributed to the burden of emergency department visits for pediatric asthma.
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Akinbami LJ, Lynch CD, Parker JD, Woodruff TJ. The association between childhood asthma prevalence and monitored air pollutants in metropolitan areas, United States, 2001-2004. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2010; 110:294-301. [PMID: 20117766 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2010.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2009] [Revised: 12/04/2009] [Accepted: 01/13/2010] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Air pollution exposure has been linked to adverse respiratory health outcomes among children, primarily in studies of acute exposures that are often in limited geographic areas. We sought to assess the association between chronic outdoor air pollution exposure, as measured by 12-month averages by county, and asthma among children in metropolitan areas across the nation. METHODS Eligible children included those aged 3-17 years residing in US metropolitan areas who were sampled in the 2001-2004 National Health Interview Survey (N=34,073). 12-month average air pollutant levels for sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone and particulate matter were compiled by county for 2000-2004. Eligible children were linked to pollutant levels for the previous 12 months for their county of residence. Adjusted odds ratios of having current asthma or an asthma attack in the past 12 months were estimated in single pollutant logistic regression models. RESULTS Children in counties with ozone and, to a less consistent degree, particulate matter levels in the highest quartile were more likely to have current asthma and/or a recent asthma attack than children residing in counties with the lowest pollution levels; the adjusted odds for current asthma for the highest quartile of estimated ozone exposure was 1.56 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15, 2.10) and for recent asthma attack 1.38 (95% CI: 0.99, 1.91). No associations were found with sulfur dioxide or nitrogen dioxide levels. CONCLUSION Although the current US standard for ozone is based on short-term exposure, this cross-sectional study suggests that chronic (12-month) exposure to ozone and particles is related to asthma outcomes among children in metropolitan areas throughout the US.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara J Akinbami
- National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hyattsville, MD 20782, USA.
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Lurie N, Mitchell HE, Malveaux FJ. State of childhood asthma and future directions conference: overview and commentary. Pediatrics 2009; 123 Suppl 3:S211-4. [PMID: 19221166 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2008-2233m] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The Merck Childhood Asthma Network, Inc conference titled "State of Childhood Asthma and Future Directions: Strategies for Implementing Best Practices" was held December 13 to 14, 2006. Here we summarize the presentations and recommendations for systems approaches from that conference and discuss current asthma care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Lurie
- Rand Corp, 1200 S Hayes St, Arlington, VA 22202, USA.
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