[Pro-allergy role of infection. A component of the mode of reacting]

No organism from the cradle lives germ-free or allergen-free. The modalities by which infections facilitate conditions of abnormal reactivity, in particular respiratory asthma and allergy to cow milk proteins, are examined. 216 asthmatic children and 50 infants with rotavirus enteritis have been considered. Infections, besides representing stimuli directly projected on the immune system, also constitute factors which more generally influence the way of reacting.