Food allergy derives from a dysregulation of oral tolerance mechanisms. Studies suggest a crucial role for gut microbiota in oral tolerance development. An altered composition of gut microbiota results in an unbalanced local and systemic immune response to food allergens. There are qualitative and quantitative differences in gut microbiota composition in children with food allergy. Preliminary results of MATFA study demonstrated gut microbiota in allergic children.These findings support the pivotal role of the gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases and may open new strategies in the development of innovative preventive and therapeutic approaches.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children with sure diagnosis of food allergy,
• children with sure diagnosis of respiratory allergy

Exclusion Criteria:

• age at enrollment <48 months or >84 months;
• eosinophilic disorders of the gastrointestinal tract;
• chronic systemic diseases;
• congenital cardiac defects;
• acute or chronic infections;
• autoimmune diseases;
• immunodeficiencies;
• chronic inflammatory bowel diseases;
• celiac disease;
• cystic fibrosis or other forms of primary pancreatic insufficiency;
• genetic and metabolic diseases;
• food intolerances;
• malignancy;
• chronic pulmonary diseases;
• malformations of the respiratory tract or of the gastrointestinal tract;
• pre-, pro- or sinbiotic use in the previous 3 months;
• antibiotics or gastric acidity inhibitors use in the previous 3 months.

Children with food allergy, children with respiratory allergy and health controls aged 48-84 months