Modulating the Microbiome: The Future of Allergy Therapeutics?

The incidence of IgE sensitization and associated diseases has been on the rise since the late 19th century reaching epidemic proportions in the current era.1 This increase has occurred over just four generations, a rate that far exceeds the rate at which genetics alone could account for the change. Explaining the cause for this epidemic has proven to be a challenge for epidemiologists, scientists and clinical researchers alike. In 1980, David Strachan proposed the well-known “hygiene hypothesis” which proposed that the increase in hay fever and eczema was a result of the decrease in “opportunity for cross infection in young families” at least partially caused by higher standards of personal cleanliness.
Source: Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology - Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Source Type: research