Asthma in genetically predisposed children can easily be prevented, according to an online edition for girls and women from 14 to 35 years old Pannochka. net Literally with the help of mud.
This is reported by the authors of a new study conducted at the University of Ludwig-Maximilian (Germany).
Researchers say that some external stimuli, such as microbial-rich farm dust, can protect a genetically predisposed child from developing the disease. The impact of such stimuli at an early age can not only reduce the likelihood of asthma for many years to come, but also protect against ARI.
The researchers found that carriers of the "risk gene" in the 17th chromosome, who lived in the countryside and in the first year of life in contact with the dust and wool of animals, are much less likely to suffer from respiratory infections and asthma.
"From this observation, we can conclude that there is a" farm effect "when early contact with conventional triggers of asthma can neutralize the genetic predisposition to disease. At the same time, children are less likely to suffer from respiratory infections. Perhaps due to the proper formation of the immune system, "the authors state in the pages of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
The study was conducted by professor of pulmonology epidemiology LMU Markus Ege, a doctor at Von Heiner Children's Hospital. The co-author of the work was Professor Erica von Mutius, the head of the polyclinic of the same hospital.
In their article, scientists told about the results of the analysis of data collected within the framework of the "Pasture" project.
These data are based on records in the diaries of 1000 mothers living with young children in rural areas of the country. In these diaries, they indicated the features of early development and the state of health of their children under 6. Among other things, women reported how much time they spend on pastures, in barns, in a bird's yard and.
When scientists focused on the children of the "risk gene" in the region of q21 of the 17th chromosome, they found that only 2 hours of contact with pets per week reduced the risk of asthma in such children by 80% compared to the townspeople.
According to Professor Ege, this is a very significant protection for children with a genetic predisposition to asthma.
"In fact, about 75% of the population are carriers of this gene, which predisposes to the development of asthma. Therefore, the results we have obtained can be of enormous importance for public health, "say scientists.
As for the resistance to viral infections, in rural children it was also higher.
Scientists claim that when playing in grass or barn, a child inhales millions of particles inhabited by a complex mixture of microorganisms - bacteria, fungi, spores. Upon contact with the epithelium of the respiratory tract, these microorganisms obviously cause activation of the immune system, and the next contact with a dangerous microbe will play a role.
In the near future, Professor Ege intends to study in more detail the "farm effect" and on its basis to develop strategies for proactive prevention of asthma and respiratory infections in children.
medbe. en.