Increase of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema in Swedish schoolchildren between 1979 and 1991

Abstract

Asthma, AR and eczema increase continuously in prevalence in Sweden and the climatic distribution of the prevalences suggests possible major risk factors to be found in a closed indoor climate.

Schistosoma mansoni infection modulates the immune response against allergic and auto-immune diseases

“…The prevalence of rheumatic fever, measles, mumps and tuberculosis decreased from 1950 to 2000, while there was an increase in prevalence of allergic and auto-immune diseases (Bach 2002). In fact, the prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema doubled in Swedish schoolchildren between 1979 and 1991 (Aberg et al 1995).…”

No further increase in asthma, hay fever and atopic sensitisation in adolescents living in Switzerland

“…Although individual studies may be criticised because of methodological limitations [5], the consistency of the results of w20 studies reporting an asthma increase of y5% per annum over the period of observation argues for a true change in prevalence [6]. Concomitant to the rise in asthma prevalence, an even stronger increase in the prevalence of hay fever has been reported in England and Scotland [2,7], Australia [3], and Sweden [8]. In Switzerland, hay fever prevalence in adults has been on the rise since the 1920s [9].…”

Allergen-dependent solubilization of IL-13 receptor α2 reveals a novel mechanism to regulate allergy

“…Increases in the rates of allergen sensitization have been accompanied by rises in the incidence of allergic respiratory diseases. 2 Understanding environmental risks related to these spiraling rates for allergic disease is important because these factors can be more easily manipulated than other risk factors, such as genetics. We demonstrate that environmental allergens can act directly on IL-13Rα2 and affect IL-13 signaling, a novel mechanism by which environmental exposure may to contribute to the development of allergic disorders.…”

“…2 Allergens encompass diverse protein structures, suggesting that multiple mechanisms are likely responsible for the allergic inflammatory responses that they elicit. Many allergens possess protease activity including fungal allergens and house dust mite (HDM) allergens, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) and Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f).…”