CD14 Tobacco Gene–Environment Interaction Modifies Asthma Severity & Immunoglobulin E Levels

CD14 gene
CD14 is part of the receptor complex for endotoxin, which is a component of tobacco smoke. The CD14 gene is located on chromosome 5q, a region previously demonstrated to be linked to asthma when stratified for smoke exposure. This study was designed to extend these findings by determining whether polymorphisms in the CD14 gene are related to this gene–environment interaction on asthma. Puerto Rican (n = 362 trios) and Mexican (n = 259 trios) families ascertained through a child with asthma were studied. (more…)

The Canadian Childhood Asthma Primary Prevention Study

Avoidance of any one of the individual risk factors associated with childhood asthma has not been successful in preventing its development. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a multifaceted intervention programme for the primary prevention of asthma in high-risk infants at 7 years of age. Five hundred and forty-five high-risk infants with an immediate family history of asthma and allergies were prospectively randomized into intervention and control groups pre-natally. (more…)

Atopic Dermatitis Risk Factors in Children at 3.5 Years Of Age

Atopic Dermatitis Children
The prevalence of atopic dermatitis is increasing in Western societies. The hygiene hypothesis proposes that this is due to reduced exposure to environmental allergens and infections during early life. The authors examined factors associated with a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis at 3.5 years of age, especially those factors implicated by the hygiene hypothesis. The Auckland Birthweight Collaborative study is a case–control study of risk factors for small-for-gestational-age babies. Cases were born at term with birth weight at or below the 10th centile; controls were appropriate for gestational age, with birth weight above the 10th centile. (more…)

Soluble CD14 in Breast Milk: Atopic Dermatitis & Asthma In Early Childhood

Soluble CD14 Concentration
Breast milk contains a variety of bioactive substances, among them soluble CD14 (sCD14), which plays an important role in innate immunity. The authors analysed data of a large prospective birth cohort study to examine the determinants of sCD14 in breast milk, and investigated whether breast-feeding practice and sCD14 concentrations in breast milk are determinants of the risk of Atopic Dermatitis and asthma in children. Eight hundred and three mothers and their newborn infants were included in this analysis. (more…)