IS Farooqi’s research while affiliated with Churchill College and other places

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Publications (2)


Early childhood infection and atopic disorder
  • Article

November 1998

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14 Reads

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212 Citations

Thorax

IS Farooqi

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JM Hopkin

Background-Atopy is of complex origins but the recent rise in atopic diseases in westernised communities points to the action of important environmental effects. One candidate mechanism is the changing pattern of microbial exposure in childhood. This epidemiological study investigated the relationship between childhood infections and subsequent atopic disease, taking into account a range of social and medical variables. Methods-A total of 1934 subjects representing a retrospective 1975-84 birth group at a family doctor practice in Oxfordshire were studied. Public health and practice records were reviewed; temporal records were made of all diagnoses of infections and their treatments, all immunisations, and diagnoses of asthma, hay fever and eczema; maternal atopy and a number of other variables were documented. Results-Logistic regression analysis identified three statistically significant predictors of subsequent atopic disease: maternal atopy (1.97, 95% CI 1.46 to 2.66, p<0.0001), immunisation with whole-cell pertussis vaccine (1.76, 95% CI 1.39 to 2.23, p<0.0001), and treatment with oral antibiotics in the first two years of life (2.07, 95% CI 1.64 to 2.60, p<0.0001). There was no significant association found for maternal smoking, bottle feeding, sib-ship size, or social class. Conclusions-The prediction of atopic disease by maternal atopy mainly reflects the effect of acknowledged genetic factors. Interpretation of the prediction of atopic disorders by immunisation with whole-cell pertussis vaccine and treatment with oral antibiotics needs to be very cautious because of the possibilities of confounding effects and reverse causation. However, plausible immune mechanisms are identifiable for the promotion of atopic disorders by both facta,rs and further investigation of these associations is warranted.


Microbial Exposure in Childhood and Subsequent Atopy: Pertussis Immunisation and Oral Antibiotics

February 1998

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2 Reads

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1 Citation

Clinical Science

The rise of atopy, the Th2 driven immune disorder of hypersensitivity to common environmental antigens, in westernised communities points to important environmental determinants. Changing patterns of microbial exposure in childhood is one important candidate mechanism. In a retrospective study of 1934 subjects, representing the 1975-84 cohort at an Oxfordshire family doctor practice, we investigated the relationship between childhood infections (including immunisations and antibiotic treatments) and the development of subsequent atopic asthma, hay fever and eczema - taking into account a range of other medical and sociable variables. In this population, three independent variables were found to consistently predict the development of each of subsequent asthma, hay fever and eczema. These were maternal atopy (OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.53-2.42), pertussis immunisation (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.28-1.95) and receipt of oral broad-spectrum antibiotics for any indication in the first two years of life (OR 3.38, 95% CI 2.35-4.86). The association with maternal atopy reflects acknowledged genetic effects. The associations of atopy with pertussis immunisation and early-life receipt of oral antibiotics were not explained by other variables and raise the question whether both might promote the development of atopy. B.pertussis and its toxins are strong adjuvants in experimental systems. Broad-spectrum oral antibiotics deplete gut microflora and thereby have the potential to disturb immune programming in early life. Prospective and experimental studies are needed to investigate these associations.

Citations (1)


... 12 There are, however, few epidemiological studies that have examined the role of vaccinations in the development of atopy or asthma. 9,[13][14][15][16][17] For these reasons, we conducted a case-control study of asthma in childhood and report here the findings for demographic factors and vaccinations. ...

Reference:

A case-control study of risk factors for asthma in New Zealand children
Early childhood infection and atopic disorder
  • Citing Article
  • November 1998

Thorax