The effect of infections on susceptibility to autoimmune and allergic diseases
JF Bach - New England journal of medicine, 2002 - Mass Medical Soc
JF Bach
New England journal of medicine, 2002•Mass Medical SocThe hygiene hypothesis postulates that an environment with a high incidence of infectious
diseases protects against allergic and autoimmune diseases, whereas hygienic
surroundings increase the incidence of these disorders. This review examines the evidence
in support of the hygiene hypothesis and offers a number of mechanisms that could explain
the relation between sanitary conditions and susceptibility to allergic and autoimmune
diseases.
diseases protects against allergic and autoimmune diseases, whereas hygienic
surroundings increase the incidence of these disorders. This review examines the evidence
in support of the hygiene hypothesis and offers a number of mechanisms that could explain
the relation between sanitary conditions and susceptibility to allergic and autoimmune
diseases.
The hygiene hypothesis postulates that an environment with a high incidence of infectious diseases protects against allergic and autoimmune diseases, whereas hygienic surroundings increase the incidence of these disorders. This review examines the evidence in support of the hygiene hypothesis and offers a number of mechanisms that could explain the relation between sanitary conditions and susceptibility to allergic and autoimmune diseases.
The New England Journal Of Medicine