Allergy - a disease of modern society

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Special Topic International Archives of Allergy and Immunology 1997, Vol. 113, No. 1-3 This volume presents the proceedings of the 1996 meeting of the renowned Collegium Internationale Allergologicum which focused on the increased prevalence of allergic diseases in industrialized countries. Expert contributions consider genetic and environmental factors in atopic diseases, describe the three-dimensional structure of allergens, their antibody-binding and T cell-specific epitopes, and summarize our current understanding of T cell immune recognition, cytokine production and the role of effector cells in allergic inflammation. For the first time, a possible cause of autoallergy of IgE-mediated diseases is discussed based on the characterization of exogenous or endogenous antigens, which may introduce or aggravate autoimmune reactions. Finally, attention is given to the development of new vaccines for treating IgE-mediated diseases. This includes the use of allergen-derived peptides, naked DNA and humanized monoclonal anti-IgE. Comprehensive and up-to-date, this compendium provides a critical review of recent advances for all allergologists and clinicians interested in understanding and treating allergic diseases such as asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and atopic dermatitis.