Measles and atopy in Guinea-Bissau

17 of 133 participants who had had measles infections were atopic compared with 33 of 129 of those who had not been vaccinated and not had measles. (Atopy was defined as skin-prick test positivity to one or more of seven allergens). Participants who had been breastfed for more than one year were more likely to be positive for a skin test to house dust mites. After adjustment for breastfeeding and other variables, measles infection was associated with a large reduction in the risk for skin test positivity to house dust mites. The conclusion of the authors is that measles infection may prevent the development of atopy in African children.