Endotoxin (Farm/Microbial Exposure)
Exposure Definition
Lipopolysaccharide from Gram-negative bacteria; exposure common in farm environments. Early-life exposure may protect against atopic asthma (hygiene hypothesis).
Proxies
| Name | Unit | Measurement | Data source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Endotoxin | EU/m³ | LAL assay | Environmental sampling |
Biological Systems Affected
immune
Th1/regulatory skewing may protect against atopic asthma
Sensitive Developmental Windows
early childhood (0-5)
Immune maturation window
GxE Highlights
No GxE highlights recorded.
Tissue-Specific Notes
airway mucosa— immune modulation
References
- 1.von Mutius E, et al. (2000). Farm exposure and asthma. Lancet.