A2 Refereed review article in a scientific journal
The "Hygiene hypothesis' and the sharp gradient in the incidence of autoimmune and allergic diseases between Russian Karelia and Finland
Authors: Kondrashova A, Seiskari T, Ilonen J, Knip M, Hyöty H
Publication year: 2013
Journal: APMIS
Journal name in source: Apmis
Journal acronym: APMIS
Number in series: 6
Volume: 121
Issue: 6
First page : 478
Last page: 493
Number of pages: 16
ISSN: 0903-4641
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/apm.12023
Abstract
Autoimmune and allergic diseases have become a major health problem in the Western world during past decades. The hygiene hypothesis suggests that decreased microbial exposure in childhood leads to increasing prevalence of these diseases. This review summarizes epidemiological evidence and current immunological knowledge concerning the hygiene hypothesis. Recent results from Russian Karelia and Finland imply that environmental factors have greatly contributed to the increasing prevalence of immune-mediated disorders. Infections, or lack of them, may indeed be strongly involved in the development of both autoimmune and allergic diseases.
Autoimmune and allergic diseases have become a major health problem in the Western world during past decades. The hygiene hypothesis suggests that decreased microbial exposure in childhood leads to increasing prevalence of these diseases. This review summarizes epidemiological evidence and current immunological knowledge concerning the hygiene hypothesis. Recent results from Russian Karelia and Finland imply that environmental factors have greatly contributed to the increasing prevalence of immune-mediated disorders. Infections, or lack of them, may indeed be strongly involved in the development of both autoimmune and allergic diseases.
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