Skip to main content
Thorax logoLink to Thorax
. 2001 Sep;56(Suppl 2):ii58–ii63.

Allergen exposure and the development of asthma

R Sporik, T Platts-Mills
PMCID: PMC1765986  PMID: 11514708

Full Text

The Full Text of this article is available as a PDF (119.7 KB).

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Arlian L. G., Neal J. S., Morgan M. S., Vyszenski-Moher D. L., Rapp C. M., Alexander A. K. Reducing relative humidity is a practical way to control dust mites and their allergens in homes in temperate climates. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2001 Jan;107(1):99–104. doi: 10.1067/mai.2001.112119. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Bergmann R. L., Edenharter G., Bergmann K. E., Forster J., Bauer C. P., Wahn V., Zepp F., Wahn U. Atopic dermatitis in early infancy predicts allergic airway disease at 5 years. Clin Exp Allergy. 1998 Aug;28(8):965–970. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2222.1998.00371.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Bergmann R. L., Edenharter G., Bergmann K. E., Lau S., Wahn U. Socioeconomic status is a risk factor for allergy in parents but not in their children. Clin Exp Allergy. 2000 Dec;30(12):1740–1745. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2222.2000.00927.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Blythe M. E., Al Ubaydi F., Williams J. D., Smith J. M. Study of dust mites in three Birmingham hospitals. Br Med J. 1975 Jan 11;1(5949):62–64. doi: 10.1136/bmj.1.5949.62. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Boner A. L., Niero E., Antolini I., Valletta E. A., Gaburro D. Pulmonary function and bronchial hyperreactivity in asthmatic children with house dust mite allergy during prolonged stay in the Italian Alps (Misurina, 1756 m). Ann Allergy. 1985 Jan;54(1):42–45. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Bruce C. A., Norman P. S., Rosenthal R. R., Lichtenstein L. M. The role of ragweed pollen in autumnal asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1977 Jun;59(6):449–459. doi: 10.1016/0091-6749(77)90009-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Burr M. L., Limb E. S., Maguire M. J., Amarah L., Eldridge B. A., Layzell J. C., Merrett T. G. Infant feeding, wheezing, and allergy: a prospective study. Arch Dis Child. 1993 Jun;68(6):724–728. doi: 10.1136/adc.68.6.724. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Call R. S., Smith T. F., Morris E., Chapman M. D., Platts-Mills T. A. Risk factors for asthma in inner city children. J Pediatr. 1992 Dec;121(6):862–866. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(05)80329-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Carswell F., Birmingham K., Oliver J., Crewes A., Weeks J. The respiratory effects of reduction of mite allergen in the bedrooms of asthmatic children--a double-blind controlled trial. Clin Exp Allergy. 1996 Apr;26(4):386–396. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Colloff M. J., Taylor C., Merrett T. G. The use of domestic steam cleaning for the control of house dust mites. Clin Exp Allergy. 1995 Nov;25(11):1061–1066. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.1995.tb03252.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Custovic A., Fletcher A., Pickering C. A., Francis H. C., Green R., Smith A., Chapman M., Woodcock A. Domestic allergens in public places III: house dust mite, cat, dog and cockroach allergens in British hospitals. Clin Exp Allergy. 1998 Jan;28(1):53–59. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2222.1998.00183.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Des Roches A., Paradis L., Menardo J. L., Bouges S., Daurés J. P., Bousquet J. Immunotherapy with a standardized Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extract. VI. Specific immunotherapy prevents the onset of new sensitizations in children. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1997 Apr;99(4):450–453. doi: 10.1016/s0091-6749(97)70069-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Edenharter G., Bergmann R. L., Bergmann K. E., Wahn V., Forster J., Zepp F., Wahn U. Cord blood-IgE as risk factor and predictor for atopic diseases. Clin Exp Allergy. 1998 Jun;28(6):671–678. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2222.1998.00241.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Ehnert B., Lau-Schadendorf S., Weber A., Buettner P., Schou C., Wahn U. Reducing domestic exposure to dust mite allergen reduces bronchial hyperreactivity in sensitive children with asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1992 Jul;90(1):135–138. doi: 10.1016/s0091-6749(06)80024-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Forster J., Tacke U., Krebs H., Streckert H. J., Werchau H., Bergmann R. L., Schulz J., Lau S., Wahn U. Respiratory syncytial virus infection: its role in aeroallergen sensitization during the first two years of life. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 1996 May;7(2):55–60. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3038.1996.tb00107.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Grad R. Risk of asthma in children with exposure to mite and cat allergens. Lancet. 2000 Oct 21;356(9239):1369–1370. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(00)02834-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Habbick B. F., Pizzichini M. M., Taylor B., Rennie D., Senthilselvan A., Sears M. R. Prevalence of asthma, rhinitis and eczema among children in 2 Canadian cities: the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood. CMAJ. 1999 Jun 29;160(13):1824–1828. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Htut T., Higenbottam T. W., Gill G. W., Darwin R., Anderson P. B., Syed N. Eradication of house dust mite from homes of atopic asthmatic subjects: a double-blind trial. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2001 Jan;107(1):55–60. doi: 10.1067/mai.2001.111240. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Illi S., von Mutius E., Lau S., Bergmann R., Niggemann B., Sommerfeld C., Wahn U., MAS Group Early childhood infectious diseases and the development of asthma up to school age: a birth cohort study. BMJ. 2001 Feb 17;322(7283):390–395. doi: 10.1136/bmj.322.7283.390. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Johnston S. L., Openshaw P. J. The protective effect of childhood infections. BMJ. 2001 Feb 17;322(7283):376–377. doi: 10.1136/bmj.322.7283.376. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Kuehr J., Frischer T., Meinert R., Barth R., Forster J., Schraub S., Urbanek R., Karmaus W. Mite allergen exposure is a risk for the incidence of specific sensitization. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1994 Jul;94(1):44–52. doi: 10.1016/0091-6749(94)90070-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Kulig M., Bergmann R., Klettke U., Wahn V., Tacke U., Wahn U. Natural course of sensitization to food and inhalant allergens during the first 6 years of life. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1999 Jun;103(6):1173–1179. doi: 10.1016/s0091-6749(99)70195-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Kulig M., Bergmann R., Niggemann B., Burow G., Wahn U. Prediction of sensitization to inhalant allergens in childhood: evaluating family history, atopic dermatitis and sensitization to food allergens. The MAS Study Group. Multicentre Allergy Study. Clin Exp Allergy. 1998 Nov;28(11):1397–1403. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2222.1998.00439.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Kulig M., Bergmann R., Tacke U., Wahn U., Guggenmoos-Holzmann I. Long-lasting sensitization to food during the first two years precedes allergic airway disease. The MAS Study Group, Germany. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 1998 May;9(2):61–67. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3038.1998.tb00305.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Kulig M., Klettke U., Wahn V., Forster J., Bauer C. P., Wahn U. Development of seasonal allergic rhinitis during the first 7 years of life. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2000 Nov;106(5):832–839. doi: 10.1067/mai.2000.110098. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. Kulig M., Luck W., Lau S., Niggemann B., Bergmann R., Klettke U., Guggenmoos-Holzmann I., Wahn U. Effect of pre- and postnatal tobacco smoke exposure on specific sensitization to food and inhalant allergens during the first 3 years of life. Multicenter Allergy Study Group, Germany. Allergy. 1999 Mar;54(3):220–228. doi: 10.1034/j.1398-9995.1999.00753.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Kulig M., Luck W., Wahn U. The association between pre- and postnatal tobacco smoke exposure and allergic sensitization during early childhood. Multicentre Allergy Study Group, Germany. Hum Exp Toxicol. 1999 Apr;18(4):241–244. doi: 10.1191/096032799678839987. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Kulig M., Tacke U., Forster J., Edenharter G., Bergmann R., Lau S., Wahn V., Zepp F., Wahn U. Serum IgE levels during the first 6 years of life. J Pediatr. 1999 Apr;134(4):453–458. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(99)70203-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Lau S., Illi S., Sommerfeld C., Niggemann B., Bergmann R., von Mutius E., Wahn U. Early exposure to house-dust mite and cat allergens and development of childhood asthma: a cohort study. Multicentre Allergy Study Group. Lancet. 2000 Oct 21;356(9239):1392–1397. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(00)02842-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. Liu X., Nickel R., Beyer K., Wahn U., Ehrlich E., Freidhoff L. R., Björkstén B., Beaty T. H., Huang S. K. An IL13 coding region variant is associated with a high total serum IgE level and atopic dermatitis in the German multicenter atopy study (MAS-90). J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2000 Jul;106(1 Pt 1):167–170. doi: 10.1067/mai.2000.107935. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. Martinez F. D., Wright A. L., Taussig L. M., Holberg C. J., Halonen M., Morgan W. J. Asthma and wheezing in the first six years of life. The Group Health Medical Associates. N Engl J Med. 1995 Jan 19;332(3):133–138. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199501193320301. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. Murray A. B., Ferguson A. C. Dust-free bedrooms in the treatment of asthmatic children with house dust or house dust mite allergy: a controlled trial. Pediatrics. 1983 Mar;71(3):418–422. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. Naclerio R. M., Proud D., Moylan B., Balcer S., Freidhoff L., Kagey-Sobotka A., Lichtenstein L. M., Creticos P. S., Hamilton R. G., Norman P. S. A double-blind study of the discontinuation of ragweed immunotherapy. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1997 Sep;100(3):293–300. doi: 10.1016/s0091-6749(97)70240-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  34. Ng Man Kwong G., Proctor A., Billings C., Duggan R., Das C., Whyte M. K., Powell C. V., Primhak R. Increasing prevalence of asthma diagnosis and symptoms in children is confined to mild symptoms. Thorax. 2001 Apr;56(4):312–314. doi: 10.1136/thorax.56.4.312. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  35. Nickel R., Beyer K., Huang S. K., Barnes K. C., Wahn U. Genetic markers of atopy in infancy: results from the German Multicenter Allergy Study. Clin Exp Allergy. 1999 Dec;29 (Suppl 4):23–25. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  36. Nickel R., Kulig M., Forster J., Bergmann R., Bauer C. P., Lau S., Guggenmoos-Holzmann I., Wahn U. Sensitization to hen's egg at the age of twelve months is predictive for allergic sensitization to common indoor and outdoor allergens at the age of three years. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1997 May;99(5):613–617. doi: 10.1016/s0091-6749(97)70021-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  37. O'Meara T. J., De Lucca S., Sporik R., Graham A., Tovey E. Detection of inhaled cat allergen. Lancet. 1998 May 16;351(9114):1488–1489. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(05)78870-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  38. Owen S., Morganstern M., Hepworth J., Woodcock A. Control of house dust mite antigen in bedding. Lancet. 1990 Feb 17;335(8686):396–397. doi: 10.1016/0140-6736(90)90219-u. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  39. Pearce N., Douwes J., Beasley R. Is allergen exposure the major primary cause of asthma? Thorax. 2000 May;55(5):424–431. doi: 10.1136/thorax.55.5.424. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  40. Pearce N., Pekkanen J., Beasley R. How much asthma is really attributable to atopy? Thorax. 1999 Mar;54(3):268–272. doi: 10.1136/thx.54.3.268. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  41. Peat J. K., Tovey E., Toelle B. G., Haby M. M., Gray E. J., Mahmic A., Woolcock A. J. House dust mite allergens. A major risk factor for childhood asthma in Australia. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1996 Jan;153(1):141–146. doi: 10.1164/ajrccm.153.1.8542107. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  42. Platts-Mills T. A., Sporik R. B., Wheatley L. M., Heymann P. W. Is there a dose-response relationship between exposure to indoor allergens and symptoms of asthma? J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1995 Oct;96(4):435–440. doi: 10.1016/s0091-6749(95)70284-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  43. Platts-Mills T. A., Thomas W. R., Aalberse R. C., Vervloet D., Champman M. D. Dust mite allergens and asthma: report of a second international workshop. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1992 May;89(5):1046–1060. doi: 10.1016/0091-6749(92)90228-t. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  44. Platts-Mills T. A., Tovey E. R., Mitchell E. B., Moszoro H., Nock P., Wilkins S. R. Reduction of bronchial hyperreactivity during prolonged allergen avoidance. Lancet. 1982 Sep 25;2(8300):675–678. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(82)90709-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  45. Platts-Mills T. A., Vaughan J. W., Carter M. C., Woodfolk J. A. The role of intervention in established allergy: avoidance of indoor allergens in the treatment of chronic allergic disease. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2000 Nov;106(5):787–804. doi: 10.1067/mai.2000.110548. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  46. Platts-Mills T. A., Vervloet D., Thomas W. R., Aalberse R. C., Chapman M. D. Indoor allergens and asthma: report of the Third International Workshop. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1997 Dec;100(6 Pt 1):S2–24. doi: 10.1016/s0091-6749(97)70292-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  47. Platts-Mills T., Vaughan J., Squillace S., Woodfolk J., Sporik R. Sensitisation, asthma, and a modified Th2 response in children exposed to cat allergen: a population-based cross-sectional study. Lancet. 2001 Mar 10;357(9258):752–756. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(00)04168-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  48. Popplewell E. J., Innes V. A., Lloyd-Hughes S., Jenkins E. L., Khdir K., Bryant T. N., Warner J. O., Warner J. A. The effect of high-efficiency and standard vacuum-cleaners on mite, cat and dog allergen levels and clinical progress. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2000 Aug;11(3):142–148. doi: 10.1034/j.1399-3038.2000.00058.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  49. Rao V. R., Dean B. V., Seaton A., Williams D. A. A comparison of mite populations in mattress dust from hospital and from private houses in Cardiff, Wales. Clin Allergy. 1975 Jun;5(2):209–215. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.1975.tb01854.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  50. Robertson C. F., Dalton M. F., Peat J. K., Haby M. M., Bauman A., Kennedy J. D., Landau L. I. Asthma and other atopic diseases in Australian children. Australian arm of the International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood. Med J Aust. 1998 May 4;168(9):434–438. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  51. Rosenstreich D. L., Eggleston P., Kattan M., Baker D., Slavin R. G., Gergen P., Mitchell H., McNiff-Mortimer K., Lynn H., Ownby D. The role of cockroach allergy and exposure to cockroach allergen in causing morbidity among inner-city children with asthma. N Engl J Med. 1997 May 8;336(19):1356–1363. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199705083361904. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  52. Rönmark E., Jönsson E., Platts-Mills T., Lundbäck B. Incidence and remission of asthma in schoolchildren: report from the obstructive lung disease in northern Sweden studies. Pediatrics. 2001 Mar;107(3):E37–E37. doi: 10.1542/peds.107.3.e37. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  53. Shamssain M. H., Shamsian N. Prevalence and severity of asthma, rhinitis, and atopic eczema: the north east study. Arch Dis Child. 1999 Oct;81(4):313–317. doi: 10.1136/adc.81.4.313. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  54. Smith T. F., Kelly L. B., Heymann P. W., Wilkins S. R., Platts-Mills T. A. Natural exposure and serum antibodies to house dust mite of mite-allergic children with asthma in Atlanta. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1985 Dec;76(6):782–788. doi: 10.1016/0091-6749(85)90748-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  55. Sporik R., Chapman M. D., Platts-Mills T. A. House dust mite exposure as a cause of asthma. Clin Exp Allergy. 1992 Oct;22(10):897–906. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.1992.tb02062.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  56. Sporik R., Hill D. J., Thompson P. J., Stewart G. A., Carlin J. B., Nolan T. M., Kemp A. S., Hosking C. S. The Melbourne House Dust Mite Study: long-term efficacy of house dust mite reduction strategies. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1998 Apr;101(4 Pt 1):451–456. doi: 10.1016/S0091-6749(98)70352-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  57. Sporik R., Holgate S. T., Platts-Mills T. A., Cogswell J. J. Exposure to house-dust mite allergen (Der p I) and the development of asthma in childhood. A prospective study. N Engl J Med. 1990 Aug 23;323(8):502–507. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199008233230802. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  58. Sporik R., Squillace S. P., Ingram J. M., Rakes G., Honsinger R. W., Platts-Mills T. A. Mite, cat, and cockroach exposure, allergen sensitisation, and asthma in children: a case-control study of three schools. Thorax. 1999 Aug;54(8):675–680. doi: 10.1136/thx.54.8.675. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  59. Stein R. T., Sherrill D., Morgan W. J., Holberg C. J., Halonen M., Taussig L. M., Wright A. L., Martinez F. D. Respiratory syncytial virus in early life and risk of wheeze and allergy by age 13 years. Lancet. 1999 Aug 14;354(9178):541–545. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(98)10321-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  60. Strachan D. P., Anderson H. R., Limb E. S., O'Neill A., Wells N. A national survey of asthma prevalence, severity, and treatment in Great Britain. Arch Dis Child. 1994 Mar;70(3):174–178. doi: 10.1136/adc.70.3.174. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  61. Tovey E. R., McDonald L. G. A simple washing procedure with eucalyptus oil for controlling house dust mites and their allergens in clothing and bedding. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1997 Oct;100(4):464–466. doi: 10.1016/s0091-6749(97)70136-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  62. Tovey E., Marks G. Methods and effectiveness of environmental control. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1999 Feb;103(2 Pt 1):179–191. doi: 10.1016/s0091-6749(99)70488-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  63. Vaughan J. W., Woodfolk J. A., Platts-Mills T. A. Assessment of vacuum cleaners and vacuum cleaner bags recommended for allergic subjects. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1999 Nov;104(5):1079–1083. doi: 10.1016/s0091-6749(99)70092-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  64. Wahn U., Bergmann R., Kulig M., Forster J., Bauer C. P. The natural course of sensitisation and atopic disease in infancy and childhood. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 1997;8(10 Suppl):16–20. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  65. Wahn U., Lau S., Bergmann R., Kulig M., Forster J., Bergmann K., Bauer C. P., Guggenmoos-Holzmann I. Indoor allergen exposure is a risk factor for sensitization during the first three years of life. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1997 Jun;99(6 Pt 1):763–769. doi: 10.1016/s0091-6749(97)80009-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  66. Walshaw M. J., Evans C. C. Allergen avoidance in house dust mite sensitive adult asthma. Q J Med. 1986 Feb;58(226):199–215. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  67. Wan H., Winton H. L., Soeller C., Tovey E. R., Gruenert D. C., Thompson P. J., Stewart G. A., Taylor G. W., Garrod D. R., Cannell M. B. Der p 1 facilitates transepithelial allergen delivery by disruption of tight junctions. J Clin Invest. 1999 Jul;104(1):123–133. doi: 10.1172/JCI5844. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  68. Wickens K., Siebers R., Ellis I., Lewis S., Sawyer G., Tohill S., Stone L., Kent R., Kennedy J., Slater T. Determinants of house dust mite allergen in homes in Wellington, New Zealand. Clin Exp Allergy. 1997 Sep;27(9):1077–1085. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.1997.tb01260.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  69. Wilkie A. T., Ford R. P., Pattemore P., Schluter P. J., Town I., Graham P. Prevalence of childhood asthma symptoms in an industrial suburb of Christchurch. N Z Med J. 1995 May 24;108(1000):188–190. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  70. van der Heide S., Kauffman H. F., Dubois A. E., de Monchy J. G. Allergen reduction measures in houses of allergic asthmatic patients: effects of air-cleaners and allergen-impermeable mattress covers. Eur Respir J. 1997 Jun;10(6):1217–1223. doi: 10.1183/09031936.97.10061217. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Thorax are provided here courtesy of BMJ Publishing Group

RESOURCES