Allergies in immigrants

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Environmental Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Immigration to new environments can alter immune responses and disease prevalence.
• Allergy and immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels are influenced by genetic and environmental factors.
• Understanding these influences is crucial for public health in diverse populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of environmental factors on allergy development in immigrants to Israel.
• To compare allergy disease dynamics in immigrants from Ethiopia and the former Soviet Union.
• To assess changes in IgE levels and allergen sensitization over time.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal study of immigrants from Ethiopia and the former Soviet Union over 20 years.
• Monitoring of allergy prevalence, IgE levels, and skin test reactivity to aeroallergens.
• Assessment of parasitic infections and anti-parasitic treatment efficacy.

Main Results:

• Ethiopian immigrants initially had high IgE and parasitic infections; post-treatment, IgE dropped, and respiratory allergies emerged (11%).
• Immigrants from the former Soviet Union showed a shift from sensitization to Russian pollen to Israeli pollen over 10 years.
• Children of Ethiopian descent born in Israel had IgE levels similar to the indigenous population.

Conclusions:

• Environmental changes play a critical role in the development and modulation of allergy diseases.
• Adaptation to a new environment can lead to altered immune responses and allergen sensitization patterns.
• The study underscores the dynamic interplay between environment, infection, and allergy in immigrant populations.