Allergic disorders in Africa and Africans: Is it primarily a priority?

World Allergy Organization Journal

Volumn 3, Issue 5, 2010, Pages 175-181

  Mbugi, Erasto Vitus ^a   Chilongola, Jaffu Othniel ^b  

^a MUHIMBILI UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH AND ALLIED SCIENCES   (Tanzania)

^b KILIMANJARO CHRISTIAN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE   (Tanzania)

Author keywords

Africa; Allergens; Allergy

Indexed keywords

ALLERGEN; ALPHA INTERFERON; BETA INTERFERON; IMMUNOGLOBULIN E; INTERLEUKIN 10; TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR ALPHA;

ABSENTEEISM; AFRICA; ALLERGIC DISEASE; ALLERGIC RHINITIS; CONCURRENT INFECTION; CONTROLLED STUDY; CYTOKINE PRODUCTION; DISEASE CONTROL; DISEASE PREDISPOSITION; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTOR; FOOD ALLERGY; GRASS POLLEN; HEALTH CARE COST; HEREDITY; HUMAN; INCOME; MALARIA; NATURAL DISASTER; NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY; OUTCOME ASSESSMENT; POLLEN ALLERGY; PREVALENCE; PRIORITY JOURNAL; PROTEIN EXPRESSION; QUALITY OF LIFE; REVIEW; SCHISTOSOMIASIS; SELF REPORT;

EID: 77954932845     PISSN: 19394551     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1097/WOX.0b013e3181e1976c     Document Type: Review

References (91)

1. Obeng BB, Hartgers F, Boakye D, Yazdanbakhsh M. Out of Africa: what can be learned from the studies of allergic disorders in Africa and Africans? Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2008;8:391-397.
2. Rauter I, Krauth M-T, Westritschnig K, et al. Mast cell-derived proteases control allergic inflammation through cleavage of IgE. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2008;121:197-202.
3. Wuthrich B, Schindler C, Leuenberger P, Ackermann-Liebrich U. Prevalence of atopy and pollinosis in the adult population of Switzerland (SAPALDIA study). Swiss study on air pollution and lung diseases in adults. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 1995;106:149.
4. Linneberg A. Increase in allergy: a global challenge. Drugs Today (Barc). 2008;44(Suppl B):5-10.
5. Obihara CC, Marais BJ, Gie RP, et al. The association of prolonged breastfeeding and allergic disease in poor urban children. Eur Respir J. 2005;25:970-977.
6. Kamradt T, Goggel R, Erb KJ. Induction, exacerbation and inhibition of allergic and autoimmune diseases by infection. Trends Immunol. 2005; 26:260-267.
7. van den Biggelaar AHJ, Hua T-D, Rodrigues LC, Kremsner PG, Yazdanbakhsh M, Kube D. Genetic variation in IL-10 is associated with atopic reactivity in Gabonese schoolchildren. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2007;120:973-975.
8. van den Biggelaar AHJ, Lopuhaa C, van Ree R, et al. The prevalence of parasite infestation and house dust mite sensitization in Gabonese schoolchildren. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2001;126:231-238.
9. van den Biggelaar AHJ, van Ree R, Rodrigues LC, et al. Decreased atopy in children infected with Schistosoma haematobium: a role for parasite-induced interleukin-10. Lancet. 2000;356:1723-1727.
10. Yazdanbakhsh M, Kremsner PG, van Ree R. Allergy, parasites, and the hygiene hypothesis. Science. 2002;296:490-494.
11. Yazdanbakhsh M, Matricardi PM. Parasites and the Hygiene Hypothesis. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2004;26:15-23.
12. Yazdanbakhsh M, van den Biggelaar A, Maizels RM. Th2 responses without atopy: immunoregulation in chronic helminth infections and reduced allergic disease. Trends Immunol. 2001;22:372-377.
13. Ndiaye M, Bousquet J. Allergies and parasitoses in sub-Saharan Africa. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2004;26:105-114.
14. Obihara CC, Bardin PG. Hygiene hypothesis, allergy and BCG: a dirty mix? Clin Exp Allergy. 2008;38:388-392.
15. Obihara CC, Beyers N, Gie RP, et al. Respiratory atopic disease, Ascaris-immunoglobulin E and tuberculin testing in urban South African children. Clin Exp Allergy. 2006;36:640-648.
16. Adams JFA, Schölvinck EH, Gie RP, Potter PC, Beyers N, Beyers AD. Decline in total serum IgE after treatment for tuberculosis. Lancet. 1999;353:2030-2032.
17. Obihara CC, Beyers N, Gie RP, et al. Inverse association between Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and atopic rhinitis in children. Allergy. 2005;60:1121-1125.
18. Obihara CC, Bollen CW, Beyers N, Kimpen JL. Mycobacterial infection and atopy in childhood: a systematic review. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2007;18:551-559.
19. Pawankar R, Baena-Cagnani CE, Bousquet J, et al. State of World Allergy Report 2008: allergy and chronic respiratory diseases. World Allergy Org J. 2008;1(Suppl):S4-S17.
20. Potter PC, Warner JO, Pawankar R, et al. Recommendations for competency in allergy training for undergraduates qualifying as medical practitioners: a position paper of the World Allergy Organization. World Allergy Org J. 2009;2:150-154.
21. Zar HJ, Ehrlich RI, Workman L, Weinberg EG. The changing prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic eczema in African adolescents from 1995 to 2002. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2007;18:560-565.
22. Motala C. Food Allergy: World Allergy Organization. Available at: http:// www.worldallergy.org/public/allergic diseases center/foodallergy/. Accessed March 25, 2010.
23. Potter PC. Inaugural lecture: allergy in southern Africa. Curr Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009;22(4):156-161.
24. Madsen C. Prevalence of food allergy/intolerance in Europe. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol. 1997;4:163-167.
25. Veien NK, Hattel T, Laurberg G. Low nickel diet: an open prospective trial. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1993;29:1002.
26. Veien NK, Hattel T, Laurberg G. Can oral challenge with balsam of Peru predict possible benefit from a low-balsam diet? Am J Contact Dermat. 1996;7:84.
27. Mercer MJ, Joubert G, Ehrlich RI, et al. Socioeconomic status and prevalence of allergic rhinitis and atopic eczema symptoms in young adolescents. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2004;15:234-241.
28. Thyssen JP, Johansen JD, Linneberg A, Menné T. The epidemiology of hand eczema in the general population: prevalence and main findings. Cont Dermatitis. 2010;62:75-87.
29. Auricchio S, Semenza G. Introduction. Common Food Intolerances 2: Milk in Human Nutrition and Adult-Type Hypolactasia. Karger: Basel; 1993.
30. Brugman E, Meulmeester JF, Spee-van der Wekke A, Beuker RJ, Radder JJ, Verloove-Vanhorick SP. Prevalence of self-reported food hypersensitivity among school children in The Netherlands. Eur J Clin Nutr. 1998;52:577-581.
31. World Health Organization (WHO). Reducing Risks, Promoting Healthy Life. Geneva, Switzerland; 2002.
32. Breman JG. The ears of the hippopotamus: manifestations, determinants, and estimates of the malaria burden. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2001;64:1-11.
33. Moore M, Ewart S. Policy challenges in malaria vaccine introduction. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2004;71(Suppl 2):248-252.
34. Chaisson RE, Martinson NA. Tuberculosis in Africa: combating an HIV-driven crisis. N Eng J Med. 2008;358:11.
35. UNAIDS. AIDS Epidemic Update. Available at: http://www.unaids.org/ en/KnowledgeCentre/HIVData/EpiUpdate/EpiUpdArc/2009.
36. UNAIDS. Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic. Available at: http:// www.unaids.org/en/KnowledgeCentre/HIVData/GlobalReport/2008/2.
37. Estmbale BBA. Parasitic infestation in children. E Afr Med J. 2001:277-278.
38. Tohon ZB, Mainassara HB, Garba A, et al. Controlling schistosomiasis: significant decrease of anaemia prevalence one year after a single dose of praziquantel in Nigerien schoolchildren. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2008; 2:e241.
39. Modjarrad K, Zulu I, Redden DT, Njobvu L, Freedman DO, Vermund SH. Prevalence and predictors of intestinal helminth infections among human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected adults in an urban African setting. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2005;73:777-782.
40. Potter PC, Davis G, Manjra A, Luyt D. House dust mite allergy in Southern Africa: historical perspective and current status. Clin Exp Allergy. 1996;26:132-137.
41. Potter PC. Overview of the indigenous allergens of South Africa. Curr Allergy Clin Immunol. 2007;20:174-176.
42. van Niekerk CH, Weinberg EG, Shore SC, Heese HV, van Schalkwyk JD. Prevalence of asthma: a comparative study of urban and rural Xhosa children. Clin Exp Allergy. 1979;9:319-324.
43. Steinman HA, Donson H, Kawalski M, Toerien A, Potter PC. Bronchial hyper-responsiveness and atopy in urban, peri-urban and rural South African children. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2003;14:383-393.
44. ISAAC. ISAAC Steering Committee. Worldwide variation in prevalence of symptoms of asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and atopic eczema. Lancet. 1998;351:1225-1232.
45. Nicolaou N, Siddique N, Custovic A. Allergic disease in urban and rural populations: increasing prevalence with increasing urbanization. Allergy. 2005;60:1357-1360.
46. Report WHO. WHO European Centre for Environment and Health. Effects of air pollution on children's health and development: a review of the evidence. Copenhagen, WHO Regional Office for Europe. Available at: http://www.euro.who. int/document/E86575.pdf. Accessed January 8, 2010.
47. Report WHO. WHO Regional Office for Europe. Health aspects of air pollution: results from the WHO project "systematic review of health aspects of air pollution in Europe." Scherfigsvej 8, DK-2100 Copenhagen ø, Denmark 2004.
48. Marshall GD. Internal and external environmental influences in allergic diseases. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2004;104(Suppl):S1-S6.
49. Weinberg EG. Urbanization and childhood asthma: an African perspective. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2000;105:224-231.
50. Asmah J, Dawn LL, Siti Arija Mad A, et al. Low prevalence of latex sensitivity in South African spina bifida children in Cape Town. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2005;16:165-170.
51. Sibanda EN. Inhalant allergies in Zimbabwe: a common problem. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2003;130:2-9.
52. SAARWG. Allergic rhinitis in South Africa: diagnosis and management. Consensus document: South African Allergic Rhinitis Working Group (SAARWG). SA Med J. 1996;86:1315-1328.
53. SAAS. South African Allergy Society. Available at: http://www. allergysa.org/. Accessed March 24, 2010.
54. Gadermaier G, Dedic A, Obermeyer G, Frank S, Himly M, Ferreira F. Biology of weed pollen allergens. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2004;4: 391-400.
55. Dagoye D, Bekele Z, Woldemichael K, et al. Wheezing, allergy, and parasite infection in children in urban and rural Ethiopia. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2003;167:1369-1373.
56. Dagoye D, Bekele Z, Woldemichael K, et al. Domestic risk factors for wheeze in urban and rural Ethiopian children. QJM. 2004;97:489-498.
57. Van Niekerk CH, Weinberg EG, Shore SC, et al. Prevalence of childhood asthma in Africa. Lancet. 1977;309:96-97.
58. Palyvos N, Emmanouel N, Saitanis C. Mites associated with stored products in Greece. Exp Appl Acarol. 2008;44:213-226.
59. Butler N. National Guidelines at a glance: allergic rhinitis. SA Pharmaceutical J. 2009;76:25-27.
60. Cooper PJ, Barreto ML, Rodrigues LC. Human allergy and geohelminth infections: a review of the literature and a proposed conceptual model to guide the investigation of possible causal associations. Br Med Bull. 2006;79-80:203-218.
61. Motala C. New perspectives in the diagnosis of food allergy. Curr Allergy Clin Immunol. 2002;15:96-100.
62. Matricardi PM, Rosmini F, Riondino S, et al. Exposure to foodborne and orofecal microbes versus airborne viruses in relation to atopy and allergic asthma: epidemiological study. BMJ. 2000;320:412-417.
63. Matricardi PM, Rosmini F, Panetta V, Ferrigno L, Bonini S. Hay fever and asthma in relation to markers of infection in the United States. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2002;110:381-387.
64. Linneberg A, østergaard C, Tvede M, et al. IgG antibodies against microorganisms and atopic disease in Danish adults: the Copenhagen Allergy Study. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2003;111:847-853.
65. Araujo MI, de Carvalho EM. Human schistosomiasis decreases immune responses to allergens and clinical manifestations of asthma. Chem Immunol Allergy. 2006;90:29-44.
66. Carvalho EM, Bastos LS, Araujo MI. Worms and allergy. Parasite Immunol. 2006;28:525-534.
67. Cardoso LS, Oliveira SC, Góes AM, et al. Schistosoma mansoni antigens modulate the allergic response in a murine model of ovalbumininduced airway inflammation. Clin Exp Immunol. 2010. [Epub ahead of print]
68. Araujo MI, Lopes AA, Medeiros M, et al. Inverse association between skin response to aeroallergens and Schistosoma mansoni infection. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2000;123:145-148.
69. Cooper PJ, Chico ME, Rodrigues LC, et al. Reduced risk of atopy among school-age children infected with geohelminth parasites in a rural area of the tropics. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2003;111(Suppl 1):995-1000.
70. Lynch NR, Lopez RI, Di Prisco-Fuenmayor MC, et al. Allergic reactivity and socio-economic level in a tropical environment. Clin Allergy. 1987;17:199-207.
71. Lynch NR, Hagel I, Perez M, Di Prisco MC, Lopez R, Alvarez N. Effect of anthelmintic treatment on the allergic reactivity of children in a tropical slum. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1993;92:404-411. (Pubitemid 24088692)
72. Scrivener S, Yemaneberhan H, Zebenigus M, et al. Independent effects of intestinal parasite infection and domestic allergen exposure on risk of wheeze in Ethiopia: a nested case-control study. Lancet. 2001;358: 1493-1499.
73. Nyan OA, Walraven GEL, Banya WAS, et al. Atopy, intestinal helminth infection and total serum IgE in rural and urban adult Gambian communities. Clin Exp Allergy. 2001;31:1672-1678.
74. Cooper PJ. Interactions between helminth parasites and allergy. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009;9:29-37.
75. van der Kleij D, Latz E, Brouwers JFHM, et al. A novel host-parasite lipid cross-talk. Schistosomal lyso-phosphatidylserine activates toll-like receptor 2 and affects immune polarization. J Biol Chem. 2002;277: 48122-48129.
76. Okano M, Satoskar AR, Nishizaki K, Harn DA Jr. Lacto-N-fucopentaose III found on schitosoma mansoni egg antigens functions as adjuvant for proteins by inducing Th2-type response. J Immunol. 2001;167: 442-450.
77. Pacifico LGG, Marinho FAV, Fonseca CT, et al. Schistosoma mansoni antigens modulate experimental allergic asthma in a murine model: a major role for CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ T cells independent of interleukin- 10. Infect Immun. 2009;77:98-107.
78. Platts-Mills TAE, Cooper PJ. Differences in asthma between rural and urban communities in South Africa and other developing countries. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2010;125:106-107.
79. Cullinan P. Asthma in African cities. Thorax. 1998;53:909-910.
80. Grant AV, Araujo MI, Ponte EV, et al. High heritability but uncertain mode of inheritance for total serum IgE level and schistosoma mansoni infection intensity in a Schistosomiasis-endemic Brazilian population. J Infect Dis. 2008;198:1227-1236.
81. Vergara C, Tsai YJ, Grant AV, et al. Gene encoding Duffy antigen/ receptor for chemokines is associated with asthma and IgE in three populations. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2008;178:1017-1022.
82. Gao P-S, Shimizu K, Grant AV, et al. Polymorphisms in the sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin-8 (Siglec-8) gene are associated with susceptibility to asthma. Eur J Hum Genet. 2010. [Epub ahead of print].
83. Du Toit G, Katz Y, Sasieni P, et al. Early consumption of peanuts in infancy is associated with a low prevalence of peanut allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2008;122:984-991.
84. Jeebhay MF. Occupational allergy and asthma among food processing workers in South Africa. African Newsletter. 2002;12:59-62.
85. Jeebhay MF, Robins TG, Lehrer SB, Lopata AL. Occupational seafood allergy: a review. Occup Environ Med. 2001;58:553-562.
86. Lopata AL, Jeebhay MF. Allergy and asthma to indigenous seafood species in South Africa. Curr Allergy Clin Immunol. 2007;20:196-200.
87. Sibanda EN. Research and clinical aspects of immunology in Africa. Curr Opin Immunol. 2001;13:528-532.
88. Riedler J, Braun-Fahrländer C, Eder W, et al. Exposure to farming in early life and development of asthma and allergy: a cross-sectional survey. Lancet. 2001;358:1129-1133.
89. Jeannin P, Lecoanet S, Delneste Y, Gauchat J-F, Bonnefoy J-Y. IgE versus IgG4 production can be differentially regulated by IL-10. J Immunol. 1998;160:3555-3561.
90. Obihara CC. Infection and atopic disease burden in African countries: key to solving the 'hygiene hypothesis'? Curr Allergy Clin Immunol. 2007;20:178-183.
91. Westritschnig K, Sibanda E, Thomas W, et al. Analysis of the sensitization profile towards allergens in central Africa. Clin Exp Allergy. 2003;33:22-27.