HYGIENE DEBATE IN THE BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL

A study, published in the BMJ, (reference BMJ 2000;320:412-417 from 12 February ) by Dr Paolo Matricardi and colleagues in Rome, suggested that a decline in orofecal infections and a westernized, semisterile diet may be associated with the epidemic of allergic asthma and rhinitis in developed countries.

The authors say that this is the first comparative study showing that orofecal and/or foodborne microbes are better candidates than airborne respiratory viruses as determinants of an atopy "protective" effect. And although cautioning that further studies are required to verify their findings, Matricardi states that "We must improve hygiene to reduce the impact of infectious diseases, but at the same time, we must learn how to safely 'train' our immune system, especially during infancy, in order to prevent allergy."

As this paper adds to the debate concerning the value of hygiene, and the issues concerning the effect of hygiene on the immune system, the IFH sent a response to the eBMJ to highlight the value of a balanced approach to the risks and benefits of hygiene. The full text of the article and this reply can be read at http://www.bmj.com/cgi/eletters/320/7232/412

The 8th GHU Congress in Bonn – Highlighting Home Hygiene
Hygiene in the Home will be a key focus for the 8^th Congress of the Institute for Hygiene and Environmental Medicine on March 29-31 2000 in Bonn. Entitled ' Hygiene and Health Protection:

Growing Challenges to the Protection of World Health in the 21 Century', the congress will cover three areas of current importance in Germany, Europe, and world-wide: water hygiene, hygiene in public and private settings, hygiene in crisis situations.

This congress has been organised by Professor Dr Martin Exner, Director of the Hygiene-Institut der Universität Bonn, who is also a founding member of the IFH Scientific Advisory Board. Two other members of the board, Professor Sally Bloomfield and Professor K.J. Nath, will be speaking at the congress.

The importance of the domestic setting in community infection control will be one of the three main subject areas of the congress. Hygiene in private homes has not, during the last few decades, been given sufficient scientific attention in relation to the spread of communicable diseases. With the increasing trend for the care of patients in the home, both lowering risks and increasing disease prevention strategies must be strengthened in the coming years. An important section of the 8^th Congress of the Institute for Hygiene and Environmental Medicine will address these important issues. For further information contact Mrs Oltmanns. ghu.abstract@giub.uni-bonn.de