Exposure to Helicobacter pylori infection in early childhood and the risk of allergic disease and atopic sensitization: a longitudinal birth cohort study. Issue 4 (April 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Amberbir, A.; Medhin, G.; Abegaz, W. E.; Hanlon, C.; Robinson, K.; Fogarty, A.; Britton, J.; Venn, A.; Davey, G.
• Is Part Of: Clinical & experimental allergy. Volume 44:Issue 4(2014:Apr.)
• Page Start: 563
• Page End: 571
• Publication Date: 2014-04
• Subjects: Allergy -- Periodicals; Immunology -- Periodicals; 616.97
• DOI: 10.1111/cea.12289
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0954-7894

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="cea12289-abs-0001"> <title>Summary</title> <sec id="cea12289-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>An inverse relation between <italic>Helicobacter pylori</italic> infection and allergic disease has been reported by a range of independent epidemiological studies, but evidence from longitudinal studies is scarce.</p> </sec> <sec id="cea12289-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>We have investigated the effects of <italic>H. pylori</italic> infection on the incidence and prevalence of allergic diseases and sensitization in a low‐income birth cohort.</p> </sec> <sec id="cea12289-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>In 2005/2006, a population‐based birth cohort was established in Butajira, Ethiopia, and the 1006 singleton babies born were followed up at ages 1, 3, and 5. Symptoms of allergic disease were collected using the ISAAC questionnaire, allergen skin tests performed, and stool samples analysed for <italic>H. pylori</italic> antigen and geohelminths. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the independent effects of <italic>H. pylori</italic> measured at age 3 on the incidence of each outcome between ages 3 and 5 years (in those without the outcome at age 3), controlling for potential confounders, and to additionally assess cross‐sectional associations.</p> </sec> <sec id="cea12289-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>A total of 863 children were followed up to age 5. <italic>H. pylori</italic> infection was found in 25% of the children at both ages 3 and 5, in 21% at age 5 but not 3, and in 17% at age 3 but not at age 5. <italic>H. pylori</italic> infection at age 3 was significantly associated with a decreased risk of incident eczema between ages 3 and 5 (adjusted OR, 95% CI, 0.31; 0.10–0.94, <italic>P </italic>=<italic> </italic>0.02). Cross‐sectionally at age 5, <italic>H. pylori</italic> infection was inversely associated with skin sensitization (adjusted OR, 95% CI, 0.26; 0.07–0.92, <italic>P </italic>=<italic> </italic>0.02).</p> </sec> <sec id="cea12289-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion and clinical relevance</title> <p>These findings provide further evidence to suggest that early‐life exposure to <italic>H. pylori</italic> may play a protective role in the development of allergy.</p> </sec> </abstract>