Tobacco Smoke and House Dust Mites

Human exposure to a combination of tobacco smoke and the house dust mites has been shown to result in allergic sensitization. It is believed that tobacco smoke impairs the barrier function of the airway epithelium, leading to increased access of allergens contained in the house dust mite. In vitro studies with human bronchial epithelial cells have confirmed this hypothesis. I42,43l In this instance it is believed that lipophiles in tobacco smoke serve to facilitate the permeation of toxic allergens. 

6 Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) 

MCS and CFS are conditions with strong immunological factors. These are examined in Chapters 26 and 27, respectively. The similarities and differences between MCS and CFS are addressed at the end of Chapter 27. 

Immunotoxic chemicals can interfere with the body s ability to ward off disease, can induce and exacerbate allergic responses, and contribute to autoimmune diseases. The complexity of the immune system and its interaction with other body systems makes it particularly vulnerable to attack by xenobiotics. Studies that have been carried out, however, have demonstrated that a wide variety of chemicals are immunotoxic and that chemical mixtures such as those contained in air polluted with the products of combustion, industrial emissions, and tobacco smoke is immunotoxic. Such polluted air can induce immunostimulative responses and bring on allergic reactions in previously sensitized individuals. 

Kimber I, Dearman RJ. Immune responses Adverse versus non-adverse effects. Toxicol Pathol 2002 30(1) 54 8. 

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