Asthma, Atopy, and Intestinal Microbiota

Abstract Allergic diseases are on the rise and many studies have shown the differences in the gut microbiota among children with and without. The mode of delivery, breastfeeding, and antibiotic use during childhood have been strongly implicated as factors driving the early colonization and composition of the gut microbiome. It has been suggested that the reduced exposure to microbes during childhood causes an aberrance in the gut microbiome which prevents shift from T helper 2 cell (Th2) to T helper 1 cell (Th1)/regulatory T cell (Treg) response to maintain immune balance. Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics are being studied as prospective interventions that can be used during pregnancy and infancy to prevent the development of allergic diseases later on in life. This review looks at the current knowledge on the role of the aberrant microbiome in the development of allergic diseases and how it can be modified for their prevention and treatment.