| 1. |
- Lindberg, Erika, 1976, et al.
(author)
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High rate of transfer of Staphylococcus aureus from parental skin to infant gut flora.
- 2004
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In: Journal of clinical microbiology. - 0095-1137. ; 42:2, s. 530-4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Many Swedish infants carry Staphylococcus aureus in their intestinal microflora. The source of this colonization was investigated in 50 families. Infantile S. aureus strains were isolated from rectal swabs and stool samples at 3 days and at 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks of age. The strains were identified by using the random amplified polymorphic DNA method and compared to strains from swab cultures of the mothers' hands, nipples, and nares and from the fathers' hands and nares. Maternal stool samples were also obtained at a later stage to compare infant and adult intestinal S. aureus colonization. Although 60% of 1-month-old children had S. aureus in the stools, this was true of only 24% of the mothers. The median population numbers in colonized individuals also differed: 10(6.8) CFU/g of feces among infants at 2 weeks of age versus 10(3.2) CFU/g of feces in the mothers. Of S. aureus strains in the stools of 3-day-old infants, 90% were identical to a parental skin strain. A total of 96% of infants whose parents were S. aureus skin carriers had S. aureus in their feces and 91% had the same strain as at least one of the parents. In comparison, only 37% of infants to S. aureus-negative parents had S. aureus in the stool samples. Thus, infantile intestinal S. aureus colonization was strongly associated with parental skin S. aureus carriage (P = 0.0001). These results suggest that S. aureus on parental skin establish readily in the infantile gut, perhaps due to poor competition from other gut bacteria.
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| 2. |
- Nowrouzian, Forough, 1957, et al.
(author)
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Escherichia coli in infants' intestinal microflora: colonization rate, strain turnover, and virulence gene carriage.
- 2003
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In: Pediatric research. - 0031-3998. ; 54:1, s. 8-14
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Colonization by Escherichia. coli in infants might have decreased in the last decades, owing to changes in hospital routines and family lifestyle. In this study, the E. coli flora was characterized in 70 healthy Swedish infants followed for the first year of life. E. coli was isolated from rectal swabs obtained at 3 d of age and quantified in fecal samples collected at 1, 2, 4, and 8 wk of age and at 6 and 12 mo of age. Strains were typed using random amplified polymorphic DNA, and their virulence factor genes were identified by multiplex PCR. Colonization by E. coli occurred late; only 61% of the infants were positive by 2 mo of age. The turnover of individual strains in the microflora was slow (1.5 strains per infant during 6 mo, 2.1 during 1 y). Environmental factors, such as siblings, pets, or feeding mode, did not influence colonization kinetics or strain turnover rate. Genes encoding type 1 fimbriae, P fimbriae, and hemolysin were significantly more common in E. coli strains persisting for at least 3 wk in the microflora than in transient strains. The P-fimbrial class III adhesin gene was more common in E. coli from children who had a cat in their homes than in E. coli from children without pets (p = 0.01); this adhesin type is common in E. coli from cats. The late colonization and low E. coli strain turnover rate suggest limited exposure of Swedish infants to E. coli. Our results confirm that P fimbriae and other virulence factors facilitate persistence of E. coli in the human colonic microflora.
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| 3. |
- Hesselmar, Bill, 1955, et al.
(author)
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Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, eczema, and sensitization in two areas with differing climates.
- 2001
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In: Pediatric allergy and immunology : official publication of the European Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology. - : Wiley. - 0905-6157. ; 12:4, s. 208-15
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In this 5-year follow-up study we compared the prevalence of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, eczema, and sensitization, in relation to several background factors, in two Swedish regions (Göteborg and Kiruna). In Göteborg, a city on the southwest coast, the climate is mild and humid. Kiruna is a town north of the Arctic Circle. Questionnaire replies and results of interviews were collected from all 412 7-8-year-old children of a population-based sample (203 in Göteborg and 209 in Kiruna); in addition, 192 children from Göteborg and 205 from Kiruna were skin-prick tested for sensitization to common aero-allergens. After 5 years, at 12-13 years of age, almost all of the initial study cohort were re-investigated. At follow-up the prevalence of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis was 17%, eczema 23%, and sensitization 32%. Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema were as common in Göteborg as in Kiruna, whereas sensitization was far more common in Kiruna. Children born during the pollen season had allergic rhinoconjunctivitis less often -- and were sensitized to pollen and animal protein less often -- than those born during the rest of the year. Sensitization to birch pollen, cat protein, and horse protein was less common in children living in Göteborg, the region with the highest frequency of cat ownership and horseback riding, and with the longest birch-pollen season. The girls were more commonly horseback riders but the boys were more often sensitized to horses. The results reinforce our previous findings: indoor climate may affect the development of sensitization and allergic diseases, to some extent independently; and if exposure to antigen is unavoidable, high doses might be better than low doses.
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| 4. |
- Hesselmar, Bill, 1955, et al.
(author)
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Asthma in children: prevalence, treatment, and sensitization.
- 2000
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In: Pediatric allergy and immunology : official publication of the European Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology. - : Wiley. - 0905-6157. ; 11:2, s. 74-9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study compares the prevalence of asthma and sensitization in children from two Swedish regions with different climates: Göteborg on the southwest coast and Kiruna in the northern inland, north of the Arctic Circle. The 412 children of a population-based sample, 203 in Göteborg and 209 in Kiruna, were investigated at age 7-8 and 12-13 years. Questionnaire reports and interviews were obtained from all children at 7-8 years of age, and 192 children were skin-prick tested for common aeroallergens in Göteborg and 205 in Kiruna. At the follow-up, 5 years later, almost all the children were re-investigated. The prevalence of asthma, wheeze, and sensitization had increased with increasing age during the follow-up period. The questionnaire reports revealed that the prevalence of asthma was 8.5% at 12-13 years of age. All children who in the questionnaire reported current asthma, were using asthma medication. The interviews indicated that the prevalence of a clinically significant asthma might be even higher, reaching approximately 12%. Asthma and wheeze were as common in Göteborg as in Kiruna despite large differences in prevalence of sensitization. Sensitization, and especially sensitization to animals, was far more common in Kiruna than in Göteborg. This study shows that asthma and wheeze are increasingly prevalent even in school age children and that sensitization does not necessarily reflect the prevalence of asthma in a population.
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| 5. |
- Hesselmar, Bill, 1955, et al.
(author)
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Born small for gestational age: relation to future allergy and asthma
- 2002
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In: Acta Paediatrica. - 0803-5253. ; 91:9, s. 992-4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AIM: To evaluate whether intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) protects against the development of allergy. METHODS: A case-control study of 1515 subjects (15-25 y), of whom 430 were cases (birthweight/length below -2 SD for gestational age). Birth data were from the national birth register. The frequencies of allergic diseases were evaluated by questionnaire. RESULTS: For the 950 who replied, the frequencies of allergic diseases were similar in cases and controls. CONCLUSION: IUGR does not protect against the development of allergy.
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| 6. |
- Hesselmar, Bill, 1955, et al.
(author)
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High-dose exposure to cat is associated with clinical tolerance--a modified Th2 immune response?
- 2003
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In: Clinical and experimental allergy : journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology. - : Wiley. - 0954-7894. ; 33:12, s. 1681-5
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Allergen-specific IgG4 antibodies, it is suggested, may be protecting against allergy development by blocking responses. Levels are proposed as a marker of modified Th2 response.To assess the levels of IgE, IgG1 and IgG4 antibodies to cat in relation to cat exposure, asthma and allergic diseases.We studied a population-based sample of 412 schoolchildren of 12-13 years of age. Parents of 402 children completed a questionnaire covering their child's medical history, the keeping of cats and other background data. Skin prick tests (SPTs) to common aeroallergens were performed in 371 of the children. Blood samples for the analyses of IgE, IgG1 and IgG4 antibodies were obtained from 309 of them.All children had an immune response to cat, predominantly of the IgG1 subclass. The levels of cat-specific IgG1 and IgG4, but not IgE, were high in children currently keeping a cat. Children with asthma had increased levels of cat-specific IgE and IgG1, and children with a positive SPT to cat also had increased IgG4. The presence of IgG4 was not associated with asthma or sensitization, unless there was a simultaneous production of IgE. Twenty-five percent of the children had an immune response with only IgG4, and no IgE antibodies to cat. This group of children had the highest frequency of cat-keeping, but a similar prevalence of asthma and allergy as those with neither IgE nor IgG4 antibodies to cat.Cat-keeping was associated with a modified Th2 response, producing IgG4 but not IgE antibodies. This immune response was not associated with an increased risk of asthma or allergy. However, the IgG4 antibodies did not directly mediate any protective effect.
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| 7. |
- Hesselmar, Bill, 1955
(author)
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Increase of allergic diseases in schoolchildren. The significance of pets and other environmental components
- 2000
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Objectives: 1) To compare the prevalence of allergic diseases in schoolchildren between 1979 and 1991 in two Swedish regions with differing climates, Kiruna in the northern inland mountains, north of the Arctic Circle, and Göteborg on the south-west coast. 2) To study the changes in allergic diseases and sensitisation during a 5 year follow-up period. 3) To evaluate the influence of parental history, residential characteristics, pet exposure during first year of life and other background factors on allergy development.Methods: Two cross-sectional questionnaire based studies, one in 1979 including 4255 7-year-olds and one in 1991 including 2481 7-9 year old children. The study in 1991 was followed by a validating interview and skin-prick tests in a stratified and population based sub-sample of 412 children, 7-8 year old. The sub-sample was followed-up after five years (1996) with a new questionnaire, interview and skin prick tests. The same questions about disease were used at all occasions, in 1979, 1991 and 1996. In 1991 new questions focused on parental history and different background factors. In 1996, it focused on early pet-keeping and factors influencing a family's decision not to have pets. Results: The prevalence of asthma increased from 2.5% to 5.7% between 1979 and 1991. Allergic rhino-conjunctivitis (ARC) from 5.4% to 8.1% and eczema from 7.0% to 18.3%. In 1991, at 7-9 years of age, a higher prevalence of eczema and sensitisation was observed in Kiruna. At the follow-up in 1996, at 12-13 years of age, similar prevalence figures were seen in the two regions for asthma (8.5%), ARC (17.2%) and eczema (23.4%). Sensitisation remained more common in Kiruna (38.1%) than in Göteborg (22.5%). Risk factors for allergy development were parental history of allergy, damp dwellings and birth during autumn/winter. Siblings and pet-keeping during first year of life were associated with less allergy. Boys were more often sensitised to horse, despite a low frequency in horseback riding as compared to girls. Conclusions: The prevalence of allergic diseases in schoolchildren doubled during the 12 year period from 1979 to 1991. Damp dwellings and birth during autumn/winter were associated with an increased risk of allergy development; highlighting the association between indoor climate and allergy development. Less allergy was seen in children with siblings and in children with direct animal contacts, especially during first year of life. The findings are interpreted as if factors associated with "less hygiene" and high allergen exposure may have protective effects.
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| 8. |
- Hesselmar, Bill, 1955, et al.
(author)
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Inhalation of corticosteroids after hospital care for respiratory syncytial virus infection diminishes development of asthma in infants.
- 2001
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In: Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992). - 0803-5253. ; 90:3, s. 260-3
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of the study was to assess the effect of inhaled corticosteroids on subsequent respiratory symptoms and asthma in infants hospitalized for respiratory syncytial virus infection (RSV). The study included 188 children below 12 mo of age, hospitalized because of RSV infection. During the winter of 1994/95 only selected children (13%) were given inhaled corticosteroids following discharge from the hospital. The following winter (1995/96), almost all children (86%) were given this treatment for 6-8 wk. Outcomes of the two different treatment regimens were compared by questionnaire 19-24 mo after discharge. Children hospitalized and treated during the winter of 1995/96 developed asthma (12% vs. 24%) and other severe symptoms of the respiratory tract less often than infants treated the year before. The frequency of children with less severe symptoms did not differ between the two treatment periods.The results indicate that inhalation of corticosteroids for 6-8 wk may reduce subsequent asthma and severe respiratory morbidity in infants hospitalized for RSV infection.
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| 10. |
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