title: The effect of Helicobacter pylori on asthma and allergy.
abstract: Current evidence indicates an inverse association between Helicobacter pylori and asthma and allergy. H. pylori is a Gram-negative bacterium which represents the major cause of peptic ulcer and gastric cancer, and preferentially elicits a T helper (Th)-1 response. Many H. pylori factors, such as the neutrophil-activating factor of H. pylori (HP-NAP), are able to drive Th-1 polarization and to display a powerful inhibition of allergic Th-2 response. This article proposes an overview of the actual knowledge about the effects of H. pylori on asthma and allergy. Special attention has been drawn to HP-NAP as a potential novel strategy for the prevention and treatment of asthma and atopy.
authors: Policlinico AOU Careggi, Department Internal Medicine, University of Florence, Italy;
authors: Amedeo
authors: A
authors: Amedei
authors: Gaia
authors: G
authors: Codolo
authors: Gianfranco
authors: G
authors: Del Prete
authors: Marina
authors: M
authors: de Bernard
authors: Mario M
authors: MM
authors: D'Elios