5 replies to this topic

[Phil Geis]

The Hygiene Hypothesis and its implications for home hygiene, lifestyle and public health


authors challenge validity of hygiene hypothesis as commonly considered

http://www.ifh-homeh...a2?OpenDocument

Edited by Phil Geis, 14 October 2012 - 05:04 PM.

[bob1]

Huh, I didn't think this was anything new.  I am sure I heard about that hypothesis more than 5 years ago.

There is also the addition to this hypothesis that loss of intestinal parasites such as the pinworms (treated for in western world) play a role in this rise in allergic type responses.  The hypothesis  doesn't suggest why different allergic syndromes are more common in different parts of the world though.

[Phil Geis]

Thr hypothesis is about 20 years old.  This paper challenges the validity of the hypothesis.

[bob1]

I was meaning that the challenge to the hygiene hypothesis isn't new to me, though I didn't put it very well in my other post.  I do also have to say that this challenge is just a variant of the hygiene hypothesis in my opinion, much like the intestinal parasite theory I mentioned in my other post.

[El Crazy Xabi]

It's more a formal update of the original hypothesis formulation than something really new
http://www.news-medi...hypothesis.aspx

[Phil Geis]

Thanks bob - I see.  I think most microbiologists considered the hypothesis weak but few published in opposition.  The support was largely from the medical community supported by alot of poor-designed studies that usually looked at asthma levels in fram kids vs. city kids.