Authors: Halonen, Marilyn; Stern, Debra A.

Source: Allergy and Asthma Proceedings, Volume 27, Number 5, September-October 2006 , pp. 328-331(4)

Publisher: OceanSide Publications, Inc

Abstract:

Asthma is a complex genetic disease that is thought to result from a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental exposures. Asthma most often develops within the first few years of life and identified risk factors include familial history of asthma, infantile atopic dermatitis, and skin test reactivity to a subgroup of allergens. It still is not clear whether the association with skin test reactivity reveals contributions to pathogenesis by enhanced tendency to produce IgE antibodies or enhanced tendency for T cells to polarize in a Th2 direction or whether these attributes simply act as markers of a condition the origins of which still have not been identified. Currently, severity and persistence have not been unequivocally linked to these (or other) factors. Although clinical remittance is common, recent studies suggest lung function deficits may persist in the absence of symptoms and contribute to risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Additional studies are needed to establish the mechanisms underlying the development of asthma so that preventive and cure modalities may be rationally developed.

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Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2500/aap.2006.27.2888

Publication date: 2006-09-01

More about this publication?

• Allergy and Asthma Proceedings is a peer reviewed publication dedicated to distributing timely scientific research regarding advancements in the knowledge and practice of allergy, asthma and immunology. Its primary readership consists of allergists and pulmonologists.
  
  The goal of the Proceedings is to publish articles with a predominantly clinical focus which directly impact quality of care for patients with allergic disease and asthma.
  
  Featured topics include asthma, rhinitis, sinusitis, food allergies, allergic skin diseases, diagnostic techniques, allergens, and treatment modalities. Published material includes peer-reviewed original research, clinical trials and review articles.
  
  The journal is indexed in Thomson Reuters Web of Science and Science Citation Index Expanded, plus the National Library of Medicine's PubMed service.
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