Atopic disease, immune system, and the environment

Abstract

Raised prevalence of allergic respiratory diseases observed in the last 20 years seems to be associated with changes of environment and lifestyle, which favor a delayed acquisition of Th1 function in childhood. The purpose of this study is to review recent knowledge concerning the developing human immune system and its interaction with external environmental factors for a better understanding of the changing faces of allergic diseases through infancy and childhood in the allergy-prone individual.