Microbiome and Atopy in Mali

This is a case-control study where participants from Bamako in Mali will be screened to identify patients with atopic disease (asthma and atopic dermatitis). Age and sex-matched healthy controls will be selected at a 1:1 ratio. All study participants (including healthy controls) will undergo a clinical evaluation and provide skin swabs, nasal swabs, induced sputum (if successful), blood samples, drinking water samples, stool samples, as well as complete an interviewer-administered questionnaire on environmental exposures. All participants (including healthy controls) will also undergo pulmonary function testing (spirometry and/or oscillometry) and undergo testing of transepidermal electrical impedance (using a Nevisense machine). Samples will be used to evaluate the microbiome diversity in participants with allergy-related diseases (ARDs) compared to healthy controls. Environmental surveys will assess the association between atopy and exposures that are primarily outdoor versus indoor exposures. Temporal and spatial variation in these pollutants will be assessed. Air samples taken from the community and participant home drinking water samples (when available) will be used to assess the presence and variability of pollutants in the environment.