Innate Immunity and Asthma Risk in Amish and Hutterite Farm Children.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The Amish and Hutterites are U.S. agricultural populations whose lifestyles are remarkably similar in many respects but whose farming practices, in particular, are distinct; the former follow traditional farming practices whereas the latter use industrialized farming practices. The populations also show striking disparities in the prevalence of asthma, and little is known about the immune responses underlying these disparities.

Methods

We studied environmental exposures, genetic ancestry, and immune profiles among 60 Amish and Hutterite children, measuring levels of allergens and endotoxins and assessing the microbiome composition of indoor dust samples. Whole blood was collected to measure serum IgE levels, cytokine responses, and gene expression, and peripheral-

SUBMITTER: Stein MM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5137793 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature