Food hygiene and declining orofecal infections may explain the allergy and asthma epidemic

The hypothesis that certain infections may prevent allergy and asthma was undermined when several studies failed to confirm that some airborne infections prevent atopy. In a retrospective case-control study among Italian air force cadets Matricardi et al (p 412) found that atopy is inversely related to markers of orofecal and foodborne infections but not to viruses transmitted by other routes. Therefore, exposure to microbes that stimulate gut associated lymphoid tissue may be necessary to prevent atopy. The authors conclude that a semisterile diet and the decline of orofecal infections may explain the allergy and asthma epidemic.

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Relevant Article

Exposure to foodborne and orofecal microbes versus airborne viruses in relation to atopy and allergic asthma: epidemiological study

Paolo M Matricardi, Francesco Rosmini, Silvia Riondino, Michele Fortini, Luigina Ferrigno, Maria Rapicetta, and Sergio Bonini
BMJ 2000 320: 412-417. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]