THURSDAY, July 9 (HealthDay News) -- A defective gene
significantly increases the likelihood of developing such allergic
disorders as eczema and asthma, Scottish researchers report.

Reviewing the findings of 24 studies, researchers from the University
of Edinburgh concluded that mutations of the filaggrin gene -- which is
thought to help maintain an effective skin barrier against the
environment -- significantly increase the risk for developing allergic
sensitization, atopic eczema, allergic rhinitis and asthma in people with
eczema.

The link between atopic eczema and filaggrin gene mutations appeared to
be particularly strong, the study found.

"These findings provide strong supporting evidence that, at least in a
subset of those with allergic problems, the filaggrin gene defect may be
the fundamental predisposing factor not only for the development of eczema
but also for initial sensitization and progression of allergic disease,"
the study authors wrote. "Our findings suggest that filaggrin is a robust
biomarker for allergic conditions."

They called for further research to investigate whether filaggrin can
be used to identify people at high risk for allergic conditions. Restoring
skin barrier function early in life in people with filaggrin defects might
help prevent the development of allergic sensitization and stop the
development and progression of allergic disorders, the researchers
suggested.

The study was to be published online July 10 in BMJ.

In an accompanying editorial, Hugo Van Bever, a professor of pediatric
allergy and immunology at National University Singapore, and his
colleagues described the finding as an important advance in understanding
the genetic basis of allergic disease.

The next step is to determine whether it's possible to distinguish
different genotypes of allergy, which could provide a breakthrough in the
prevention, diagnosis and treatment of allergies in children, they
said.

More information

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology has more about
allergies.