Gut microbiota and development of atopic eczema in 3 European birth cohorts.

The study examined the hypothesis that sensitisation to food allergens and atopic eczema are influenced by the infantile intestinal colonisation pattern. Infants were recruited perinatally in Göteborg (n = 116), London (n = 108), and Rome (n = 100). Commensal bacteria were identified in rectal (3 days) and quantitative stool cultures (7, 14, and 28 days and 2, 6, and 12 months of age). At 18 months of age, atopic eczema and total and food-specific IgE levels were assessed. Neither atopic eczema nor food-specific IgE by 18 months of age were associated with time of acquisition of any particular bacterial group. This study does not support the hypothesis that sensitisation to foods or atopic eczema in European infants in early life is associated with lack of any particular culturable intestinal commensal bacteria. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2007;120(2):343-50.