In 250 Children we Demonstrate that the Transmission of Allergy and Asthma is Chiefly Genetic, Mainly when these Children are Asthmatic
Journal Title: Global Journal of Allergy - Year 2015, Vol 1, Issue 2
Abstract
There seems to be no unanimity of opinion as to the mode of transmission of allergic disease. According to some, allergy is transmitted as a simple Mendelian dominant. In direct contrast, others maintain that the findings favor a recessive mechanism. Further- more, others suggest that the condition is inherited as a “partial dominant” disorder. An additional analysis of family studies as well as data already published, failed to support either the simple dominant or recessive theory. The dominant theory does not explain why in more than half of the pedigrees both parents are normal. The recessive theory is refuted by the existence of pedigrees in which both parents are affected, yet some of the children are normal. To put more order in this complex mess, we have decided to study the genetic risk of children with a family history (FH) of allergy, We have therefore formed this prospective study in 250 children that included: family (FH) and personal history, skin prick tests (SPTs) and specific IgE (RAST), who were admitted to the Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Division of Rome University since they were affected with respiratory allergy. We have prepared a sheet with questions and possible answers. Consequently, we have studied the FH of these children asking whether their parents and brothers/sisters had atopic diseases, and specifying whether such disorders were respiratory or food allergies (FA). The parents of all children gave their informed consent. We analyzed data using the X2 method. 42.3% of their parents were atopic, as well as their 20 brothers/sisters. In total, 90.2% of fathers, 84% of mothers and 65% of brothers/sisters had asthma or allergic rhinitis (AR). We add that some parents had urticarial, further there were mothers and brothers/sisters experiencing atopic dermatitis (AD), and some mothers with food allergy (FA). In 23 children from these parents most had AD and respiratory allergy. In 250 children comparable for age and sex with no respiratory disorder supplied from our out patient clinic 40 parents, 14 mothers and 26 fathers and 9 brothers/sisters had asthma or AR (p = 0.0001), some fathers had also urticaria and two brothers AD. A major part of respiratory allergy is not transmitted by mothers: we stress that 42.3% of parents are atopic, and FH of their children was positive for respiratory allergy in 82-92% of cases. Thus respiratory allergy can have an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance, but considering the other atopic diseases, the transmission can be polygenic. The impact of genetic factors in these children is stressed by the relevant quote of asthmatic brothers/sisters.
Authors and Affiliations
Cantani Arnaldo
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP341894
- DOI 10.17352/2455-8141.000010
- Views 69
- Downloads 0
Preliminary Survey of Water Hyacinth in Lake Tana, Ethiopia
Investigation of water hyacinth was conducted from October 27, 2011 to November 3, 2011 by interdisciplinary expedition groups. A total of 24 sites were delineated using geographical positioning system (GPS) during inves...
The Benefit of Montelukast in Atopic Dermatitis Induced by Food Allergies
Background: Cysteinyl leukotriene levels are elevated in patients with atopic dermatitis, which can lead to eosinophilic infiltration of the gastrointestinal tract. Objective: We examined the role that montelukast (a le...
Impact of Food Allergies on the Allergic Person’s Travel Decision, Trip Organization and Stay Abroad
This survey evaluated the impact of food allergy on the allergic person’s travel decision, trip organization and stay abroad. Hundred and two persons have participated. Results show that food allergy prevents 14% of resp...
Composition, Distribution, Fishing Activities, and Physico-Chemical Characteristics: The Case of Jemma and Wonchit Rivers, Amhara Region, Ethiopia
The distribution of fish species in Jemma and Wonchit Rivers was studied from November 2012 to May 2014 based on samples collected during wet and dry seasons using gillnets of 60, 80, 100, 120 and 140 mm stretched mesh s...
Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome Developed in Herbal Tea Processor with Sensitizer-Induced Occupational Asthma – A Case Report
Asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS), a clinical syndrome common in routine practice, is still not fully defined entity characterized by features of both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In the pre...