[Environmental factors as determinants of allergy development].
Environmental factors may be either the cause of, or have a modulating effect on, the development of an allergy. The influence of the causal factor "exposure to an allergen" has in the past been underestimated--and this applies in particular to pollinosis. The increase in the prevalence of allergies observed over the last decades can possibly be explained not merely by an increase in the allergen burden, but also by a lack of protective factors. Further research is needed to clarify the situation.
Behrendt
Heidrun
H
Zentrum Allergie und Umwelt, Technische Universität München. heidrun.behrendt@lrz.tum.de
D015984:Causality; D002648:Child; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000517:prevention & control; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control; D008019:Life Style; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D013223:Statistics as Topic