title: Fc epsilon RI-beta polymorphism and risk of atopy in a general population sample.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To establish the prevalence of Fc epsilon RI-beta polymorphisms Leu181 and Leu181/Leu183 on chromosome 11q13 in the general population and to examine whether when maternally inherited they confer a risk of atopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A population based survey for measures of atopy (skin prick test reactions, specific IgE titres, total serum IgE concentration), bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and carriage of Fc epsilon RI-beta Leu181 and Leu181/Leu183.
  
  
  METHODS
  The rural coastal town of Busselton, Western Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  1004 members of 230 two generation families identified through adults aged under 55.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fc epsilon RI-beta Leu181/Leu183 was identified in 45 subjects (4.5%). All 13 children who had inherited the variant maternally were atopic. Six had asthma and nine rhinitis. The odds ratio of a positive skin prick test reaction to house dust mite or grass pollen in these children compared with the other 523 children was 7.37 (95% confidence interval 1.62 to 33.60). The 95% confidence interval for the odds ratio of a positive specific IgE response (radio-allergosorbent test) was 3.00 to infinity, and the odds ratio for bronchial hyperresponsiveness was 3.70 (1.21 to 11.60). By contrast, the eight children who had derived the variant paternally had negative skin prick and radioallergosorbent test results and did not have increased bronchial responsiveness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fc epsilon RI"' beta Leu181/Leu183 when inherited maternally identifies a genetic risk factor for atopy and bronchial hyperresponsiveness.
authors.affiliation: Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Faux
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hopkin
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: le Söuef
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Musk
authors.forename: W O
authors.initials: WO
authors.lastname: Cookson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001483:Base Sequence; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D002648:Child; D002880:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11; D005260:Female; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D017455:Receptors, IgE / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014904:Western Australia / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D017455:Receptors, IgE