Asthma causation, mechanisms and prevention

The aims of this project are:

1. To assess whether atopic sensitisation can be reversed over time in a working adult population newly exposed to moderate to high levels of endotoxin;
2. To assess whether there is a dose-response between endotoxin exposure and change in atopic status;
3. To assess the time period in which the reduction in atopy takes place;
4. To assess the association between endotoxin exposure and lung function and respiratory symptoms;
5. To assess whether a change in atopic status is associated with a change in lung function and respiratory symptoms;
6. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).