Suppression of allergen-specific IgE in offspring after preconceptional immunisation: maternal, paternal and genetic influences.

Immunisation of female mice with the allergen ovalbumin (OVA) during pregnancy reduces the OVA-specific IgE response in adult offspring. To approach primary prevention strategies for allergy, we investigated to what extent genetic, paternal and maternal factors influence this suppressive effect on allergic sensitisation in offspring and investigated the possibility of pregestational immunisation. Maternal allergen immunisation reduced OVA-specific IgE levels in immunised offspring, even after maternal immunisation up to 8 weeks before conception without further allergen exposure.

No indication of Coxiella burnetii infection in Norwegian farmed ruminants.

Background: Infection with Coxiella burnetii, the cause of Q-fever, has never been detected in Norwegian animals. Recognising the increasing prevalence of the infection in neighbouring countries, the aim of the study was to perform a survey of Norwegian farmed ruminants for the prevalence of C. burnetii infection.

Maternal allergen immunisation to prevent sensitisation in offspring: Th2-polarising adjuvants are more efficient than a Th1-polarising adjuvant in mice.

Background: Allergy has been an increasing problem in several parts of the world. Prenatal exposure to allergen and microbial components may affect the development of allergies in childhood, as indicated by epidemiological and experimental studies. We investigated the capacity for allergic sensitisation in offspring after induction of a Th1- or a Th2-polarised immune response to the same allergen in mothers during pregnancy.

Maternal allergen immunization during pregnancy in a mouse model reduces adult allergy-related antibody responses in the offspring.

Background: The immune status and allergen exposure of the mother may influence the immune response in the offspring after birth. This relationship may be important both for allergen avoidance strategies and, alternatively, for allergy prophylaxis by allergen exposure of the mother.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of allergen immunization of the mother during pregnancy and postpartum, in relation to the allergy-related immune response (IgE) and the non-allergy-related (IgG2a) response in the offspring.