Allergen exposure in infancy and the development of sensitization, wheeze, and asthma at 4 years

Abstract

Background: The relationship between mite and pet allergen exposure in infancy and the subsequent development of sensitization and asthma is complex. Objective: We prospectively investigated the effect of allergen exposure at 3 months of age on the development of sensitization, wheeze, and physician-diagnosed asthma in the first 4 years of life in a birth cohort of children with and without an atopic mother. Methods: Children participated in the Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy study. Allergen exposure at 3 months of age was determined from mattress dust samples. Specific IgE to inhalant allergens was measured at 4 years of age, and information about wheeze and physician-diagnosed asthma was collected with yearly questionnaires. Results: Mite and cat allergen exposure in infancy were associated with an increased risk of specific sensitization to house dust mite and cat, respectively, at 4 years of age. There were borderline significant associations between cat allergen exposure and persistent wheeze in the total study population and between dog allergen exposure and persistent wheeze in children with a nonatopic mother. In children with an atopic

Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) 2008*

“…The German Multi-Center Allergy Study (1844,1845) and the Dutch PIAMA study (1846) reported a dose-response relationship between early cat exposure and sensitization in children. In another study, feather pillow use and the ownership of pets with fur did not increase the risk of developing allergic rhinitis (1847).…”

Respiratory health and indoor air pollutants based on quantitative exposure assessments

“…This has been suggested by the ''high-dose tolerance'' hypothesis put forward for exposure to the cat allergen [44]. Nevertheless, whether this hypothesis can be applied to other aeroallergens is not clear and still controversial [45].…”

Prevalência e fatores de risco para asma em adolescentes de 13 a 14 anos do Município de Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brasil

“…Na análise do contato dentro de casa com animais no presente, verificou que a exposição domiciliar atual a animais é um fator de risco significante para o desenvolvimento de asma ativa. Os animais domésticos são considerados fontes de alérgenos intradomiciliares, e a relação entre a exposição aos mesmos na infância e desenvolvimento de sensibilização e sintomas de asma ainda são complexas 42 . Fatores como época da chegada do animal no domicilio, idade da criança à exposição, número de animais, carga alergênica do ambiente e história familiar de atopia podem modular a expressão da sensibilização a esses alérgenos 43,44 .…”