Highlights
- A new drug that restores balance of immune system and desensitizes allergic responses is being developed.
- Studies have shown that children with helicobacter pylori infections have a 45% reduction in allergies and asthma.
- Researchers have harnessed the power of helicobacter pylori for this new drug. A new drug which "fine tunes" the immune system to help prevent asthma and allergies to foods such as peanuts and shellfish, has been developed. It is being developed by a Western Australian Nobel Prize-winning scientist, Professor of Microbiology, Barry Marshall from the University of Western Australia
- Asthma - (http://www.aihw.gov.au/asth)
Source-Medindia
Asthma - Factors, Common Allergens, Diagnosis, Treatment, Support Groups, FAQs
It's a lung condition characterized by inflammation of the bronchi and constriction of the airways that result in coughing, wheezing or breathlessness. Allergy and other airway irritants can trigger it
It's a lung condition characterized by inflammation of the bronchi and constriction of the airways that result in coughing, wheezing or breathlessness. Allergy and other airway irritants can trigger it
‘The drug has the potential to be used as a preventative treatment in a child's early life when signs of asthma or allergies appear.’
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Prof.Marshall is developing an oral treatment called Immbalance, which is designed to restore balance to the immune system and desensitize allergic responses.Australia has one of the highest allergy and asthma rates in the world and over the last 10 years has seen a 10-fold increase in referrals for food allergies, and a five-fold increase in hospital referrals for food-related severe allergy or anaphylaxis.
Asthma is a long-term condition that affects a person's breathing. It is a significant cause of ill health and poor quality of life, in children and in adults.
Traffic-Related Air Pollution Increases Asthma Risk in Children
The exposure is associated with increased plasma levels of interleukin 31 (IL-31), a cytokine that promotes allergic inflammation.
The exposure is associated with increased plasma levels of interleukin 31 (IL-31), a cytokine that promotes allergic inflammation.
In 2013-14, the rate of hospitalization due to asthma was at 165 per 100,000 population. Death rate due to asthma was at 1.5 per 100,000 population in the year 2013.
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People With Food Allergy at Higher Risk Due to Confusing Food Labels
Reading food labels for possible allergens is important. But when the food labels do not clearly mention the allergens, it causes serious allergic reaction to the consumer.
Reading food labels for possible allergens is important. But when the food labels do not clearly mention the allergens, it causes serious allergic reaction to the consumer.
Harnessing the Power of Helicobacter Pylori
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Feeding Babies Egg, Peanuts, Fish May Prevent Food Allergy
Introducing foods like egg, nuts, fish, to babies between four and seven months may reduce the risk of food allergy later in life.
Introducing foods like egg, nuts, fish, to babies between four and seven months may reduce the risk of food allergy later in life.
Dr Barry Marshall and Dr Robin Warren were awarded a Nobel Prize in 2005 for their discovery that stomach ulcers can be caused by a bacterial infection.
Helicobacter pylori survives in the body by suppressing the immune system.
Professor Barry Marshall said the drug would harness the immune properties of common bacterium Helicobacter pylori, that naturally resides in the human gut and move the allergic response down into the normal range.
Studies in the USA show children infected with Helicobacter have a 45% reduction in allergies and asthma.
Helicobacter is disappearing, humans in response have become hyper-reactive to allergies.
By putting the Helicobacter back in a safe way, allergic people can be moved back into a normal range.
"By developing an oral product which contains non-viable Helicobacter we can get the immune advantages that Stone Age man used to get by having live bacteria, with none of the disadvantages."Professor said.
Dr Marshall said the drug had the potential to be used as a preventative treatment in a child's early life when signs of asthma or allergies appear.
New medication in powder form
Professor Marshall's company, Ondek, based in Perth and Sydney, has been developing the drug for the past seven years and said it can be formulated as tablets, capsules, liquids or powdered product.
Dr Marshall said it was likely the drug would be a powder that can be consumed by adding it to food and drinks.
"Children could spread the powder on their cereal or put it in a drink and over the course of a few months could supress their allergic response," he said.
"We think it's going to be 100% safe. It won't remove your immune system; it will just take the edge off.It appears when everything is very clean and children aren't exposed to enough infectious or non-infectious bacteria the immune system can get ramped up," Professor Marshall said.
The drug was ready to be manufactured before safety testing could begin on animals and then humans.
It is hoped clinical trials in children will begin in three years and hopes to make Immbalance available within five years.
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