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Rapid Responses: Rapid Responses published:
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![[Read Rapid Response]](/icons/misc/sectionDOWN.gif)
What about the Bowel Flora ?
- Philip Stowell (11 February 2000)
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Atopy protects against orofecal and foodborne microbes?
- John Martin (16 February 2000)
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My experience suggests otherwise
- Aamer Iqbal (16 February 2000)
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lead - an alternative explanation
- W McLean (16 February 2000)
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Hygiene and Health - towards a balanced approach
- IFH Secretariat (18 February 2000)
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Serology may not be an absolute measure of exposure
- Wendy Anderson (22 February 2000)
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Philip Stowell, GP Brisbane
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This is a great read. However it would have been a good idea to have also examined the bowel flora of the two populations nad to have made comparisons between them as well. The healthy balance of the flora of the GI Tract is now slowly being recognised as essential to the effective and efficient activity of the immune system as a whole (60-75% of which tissue directly surrounds the GI Tract). Analyses are well developed in the USA and Australia and there are agencies for the american lab in most of Europe. Each atopic patient warrants a full assessment of their gastrointestinal function as an adjunct to normal therapy yours Philip |
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John Martin, Retired Retired
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One can also conclude from the results that atopy might protect people from orofecal and foodborne microbes to the extent that those organisms cannot gain sufficient entry into the body to cause an immune response. |
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Aamer Iqbal, General Practice Lahore, Pakistan
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Dear Sirs and Madams: The population here in Lahore is exposed heavily to foodborne and orofecal microbes, yet the incidence of asthma appears to be rising especially in young children. This is based on the number of consultations for asthma; however there are seasonal peaks. Also atmospheric pollution has become "visible" in the past few years mainly because of diesel vehicular emissions. I feel that at least for cases here, exposure to foodborne and orofecal microbes is not a major contributory factor in the development of asthma. Yours faithfully, Dr. Aamer Iqbal |
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W McLean, retired home
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Elevated immunoglobulin levels have been reported in children with exposure to environmental lead (1) which may be related to the increase in allergies. Children in rural areas, where there may be a higher level of exposure to orofecal and foodborne microbes, are less likely to be exposed to lead. This may be a confounding factor in studies of allergy. Blood lead levels in young children are twice as likely to be above the international intervention level as those in the population generally (2). 1. Lutz PM et al Toxicology 1999 May 3; 134(1) 63-78 Elevated immunoglobulin E(Ig) levels in children with exposure to environmental lead 2. Pirkle Jl et al Environ health Perspect 1998 Nov; 106(11): 745-50 Exposure of the US population to lead 1991-1994 |
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IFH Secretariat , Communication Co-ordinator IFH
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Over the last century, medical science and hygiene have dramatically increased length and quality of life by protecting us from harmful micro- organisms. Vaccination, antibiotic development, water purification, improved food production and improved personal and environmental hygiene have all played their part. This article highlights a crucial question: if increases in allergy are associated with some of these elements of our current protection against infectious disease, how can this be avoided without jeopardising the benefits? Indeed, as our ability to treat infectious disease with antibiotics is under threat, better prevention of disease, even in western society, remains a high priority. Sadly, the public often hears simplistic reporting of such studies – that increased allergy is an inevitable consequence of being too clean. The clear caution, given by the authors of this article, that we must improve hygiene to reduce the impact of infectious diseases - but at the same time we must learn how to train our immune system, especially during infancy, in order to prevent allergy, is thus most important. Despite the past, current and future contribution of hygiene in the domestic and community setting to the fight against infectious disease, the underlying science and practice has been less well studied here than in other settings. This realisation led a group of scientists to form the International Scientific Forum on Home Hygiene (IFH), which is working to develop an evidence-based approach to infection prevention in the domestic setting in situations where an infection risk exists, and offers a useful forum for evaluating issues such as hygiene and the immune system. The work of the IFH can be found at www.ifh-homehygiene.org and interested colleagues are encouraged to contact us. |
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Wendy Anderson, Respiratory SPR5 Grampian University Royal Hospital Trust
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Is there any evidence that serology for these diseases provides a precise measure of exposure? There is evidence that atopy effects the immune response to environmental antigen.Is it not possible that fewer individuals with an atopic tendency respond to exposure with positive serology? If atopy does effect responses, the results of this study may not be extrapolated to suggest that respiratory infection protects against allergic disease. |
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