Background: Recent literature suggests that Staphylococcal enterotoxin specific IgE may be a risk factor for asthma.
Objective: To investigate the associations between Staphylococcal enterotoxin sensitization and asthma.
Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed for relevant case-control or population-based studies, published in the peer-reviewed journals until February 2013. Data were extracted on study designs, subjects, definitions and the prevalence of Staphylococcal enterotoxin sensitization.
Results: A total of 683 studies were initially identified, of which 7 studies finally met the inclusion criteria (5 case-control and 2 population-based studies). All the included studies reported higher prevalence of the sensitization in asthmatics than in controls, despite clinical and methodological heterogeneity. In a meta-analysis, the pooled odds ratio of the sensitization for asthma was 2.95 (95% confidence intervals 2.28-3.82).
Conclusion: Staphylococcal enterotoxin sensitization was significantly associated with asthma. The mechanisms of associations warrant further elucidation.
Keywords: Asthma; Meta-analysis; Staphylococcus.