Asthma causation, mechanisms and prevention
The aims of this project are:
- To assess whether atopic sensitisation can be reversed over time in a working adult population newly exposed to moderate to high levels of endotoxin;
- To assess whether there is a dose-response between endotoxin exposure and change in atopic status;
- To assess the time period in which the reduction in atopy takes place;
- To assess the association between endotoxin exposure and lung function and respiratory symptoms;
- To assess whether a change in atopic status is associated with a change in lung function and respiratory symptoms;
- To assess the level of exposure at which the protective effect on atopy is most effective and the adverse effects on the airways (induced by non-atopic mechanisms) are minimal.
RELATED PUBLICATIONS

Brooks C, Brogan S, van Dalen C, Lampshire P, Crane J, Douwes J. Measurement of Exhaled Nitric Oxide in a General Population Sample: A Comparison of the Medisoft HypAir FENO and Aerocrine NIOX Analyzers. J Asthma, 2011; 48(4): 324-8. |
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Douwes J, Brooks C, Pearce N. Protective effects of farming on allergies and asthma: have we learnt anything since 1873? Expert Rev Clin Immunol, 2009; 5(3): 213-9. |
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Brooks C,
Pearce N,
Douwes J.
The hygiene hypothesis in allergy and asthma: an update. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol, 2013; 13(1): 70-77.
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Douwes J,
Brooks C,
van Dalen C,
Pearce N.
Importance of allergy in asthma: an epidemiologic perspective. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep, 2011; 11(5): 434-44.
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Brooks C,
Siebers R,
Crane J,
Noss I,
Wouters I,
Sander I,
Raulf-Heimsoth M,
Thorne P,
Metwali N,
Douwes J.
Measurement of β-(1,3)-glucan in household dust samples using Limulus amebocyte assay and enzyme immunoassays: an inter-laboratory comparison. Environ Sci Process Impacts, 2013; 15(2): 405-411.
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Brooks C,
Gibson P,
Douwes J,
van Dalen C,
Simpson J.
Relationship between airway neutrophilia and ageing in asthmatics and non-asthmatics. Respirology, 2013; 18(5): 857–865.
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Brooks C, Gibson P, Douwes J, van Dalen C, Simpson J. Assessment of the relationship between airway neutrophilia and aging in asthmatics and non-asthmatics. Respirology, 2012; 17(S2): 10. (abstract). |
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Brooks C, van Dalen C, Harding E, Hermans I, Douwes J. Effects of treatment changes on asthma phenotype prevalence and airway neutrophil function. BMC Pulmonary Medicine, 2017; 17: 169. |
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