Revisiting The Hygiene Theory; Hepatitis A And Tuberculosis Versus Atopy

Abstract

Objective: According to the hygiene hypothesis an inverse association between allergic sensitization and exposure to infections and has been reported. In this study, we investigated the relationship between atopy and tuberculosis (TB) and hepatitis A virus (HAV) infections in children. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed and included 39 healthy children who were followed up with TB, 40 healthy children who were with HAV seropositive, and 30 healthy children who were seronegative for HAV and tuberculin skin test (TST) response as negative. Serological tests for HAV (anti-HAV immunoglobulin G), skin prick test (SPT) investigations for the detection of atopy, and TST were carried out. Results: The study included 39 (16 males, 23 females) with TB, 40 (16 males, 24 females) with HAV seropositive, and 30 (10 males, 20 females) healthy controls. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of age and gender (p>0.05). The SPT positivity was 28.2% (n=11) in the TB group, 15% (n=6) in the HAV group, and 30% (n=9) in the control group. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of SPT positivity (p=0.148). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of total serum IgE level (p=0.776). Conclusion: Our study does not support the hypothesis that HAV and TB suppress the development of atopy. We think that encountering infections during the immune maturation period is a condition that is protective in the development of atopy due to multifactorial reasons