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Highlights of leading allergy and immunology research presented for first time at BSI/BSACI congress
December 19, 2002Today marks the opening of the Annual Meeting of British Society for Immunology (BSI) and the British Society for Allergy & Clinical Immunology (BSACI) congress - hot new research covers future therapeutic possibilities for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, research that aspirin may lead to life-threatening reactions in certain types of asthma, cats may hold clues to new allergy therapies, and an insight into whether microbes influence mood.
The congress is a leading forum for over 190 internationally renowned speakers in these areas to present innovative data from the forefront of immunology and allergy research. Over 1500 delegates throughout the world are due to attend this year's meeting in conjunction with 150 trade exhibitions. Highlights of key data include the following:
Advances in allergy research and mechanisms of drugs
Aspirin/NSAID intolerance in asthma and rhinitis1
Aspirin is a type of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and it is used widely throughout the world as an effective treatment for mild-to-moderate pain. New data reveals that use of NSAIDs in certain types of asthmatic patients can cause severe bronchospasm and nasal congestion within 90 minutes of administration. These are often patients with asthma that are difficult to treat and require high doses of inhaled and nasal corticosteroids and frequent courses of oral corticosteroids. Dr S. Nasser, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge and lead investigator commented that: "Correct identification of these types of aspirin-sensitive asthmatics is crucial as a delay in diagnosis can often lead to years of misery and chronic under treatment for many patients."
Tolerance to cats: the alternative response to allergy and possible new therapies?2
Perennial allergic rhinitis is the cause of great morbidity for many patients and it is usually triggered by indoor allergens such the droppings of house dust mites or pet skin flakes (animal dander from cats and dogs). To date, immune mechanisms of tolerance arising from natural respiratory exposure to some key allergens have not been evaluated. A study by Dr Woodfolk, Asthma and Allergic Diseases Centre, University of Virginia, Virginia, USA has for the first time identified aspects of the immune response related to tolerance to cat allergens that has implications for the design of allergen-specific immuno-therapy.
Bugs, brains and body defences
Too hygienic for our own good - a possible impact on mental health?3
The incidences of disorders such as allergies and inflammatory bowel disease have been increasing rapidly over the past few years in developed countries. The 'hygiene hypothesis' suggests that this may be due to the diminished exposure humans have to microorganisms, thus resulting in ill-equipped immune systems. T-cells are a form of white blood cells critical to the immune response and certain clinical trials within allergy research have developed microbial components that drive the maturation of regulatory T-cells. However, use of these microbial components in humans has resulted in mood changes. This study recommends that the 'hygiene hypothesis' to be expanded into the domains of mood, behaviour and psychiatric diseases such as depression because changes in immuno-regulation can alter the pattern of signalling to the brain. Relevant neural pathways have been traced in animal models.
Correlations between allergies and depression, and vagal nerve stimulation alleviating depression add weight to this hypothesis.
Immunity and repair in the central nervous system
The immunobiology of TSE diseases: a cure for CJD on horizon?4
The limited help available to patients suffering from some of the most debilitating diseases of man, such as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE's) or "prion diseases" underscores the urgent need to understand the pathological mechanisms of disease and the design of rational therapeutic strategies. Data presented today sheds light on a possible immunological approach to treat TSE diseases including Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). Following exposure to TSE's, infection often targets cells that are present in the spleen and lymph nodes. These cells are called the follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) and this new data suggests that they are crucial for neuroinvasion. Dr. Neil A. Mabbott, Institute for Animal Health, Edinburgh and lead investigator said that "New data offers an insight into possible future treatments for TSE diseases such as CJD. The data concludes that treatments that interfere with the function of certain cells known as FDC's may offer a potential approach for early intervention in TSE dieases."
Markers for memory
CD-4 T cell memory5
T-cells are a form of white blood cells critical to the immune response. They are manufactured in the bone marrow but only become mature cells on reaching the thymus. CD-4 cells are a subset of T-cells and this data investigated the factors that influence their life cycle. The results of a new study suggest that the maintenance of CD-4 memory T-cells function is critically dependent on signals controlled by the major histocompatibility complex, the gene cluster that controls certain aspects of the immune response.
Ketchum
Asthma Current Events and Asthma News RSSStudy strengthens link between tobacco smoke and behavioral problems in boys with asthma
Boys with asthma who are exposed to environmental tobacco smoke have higher degrees of hyperactivity, aggression, depression and other behavioral problems, according to researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.
Pregnant women with asthma can be more confident about some medicines
Women can usually keep using the same asthma drugs they were using before they got pregnant. Budesonide sprays are the best studied and can be regarded as safe.
Study shows school-based program enables children and adolescents to better manage chronic disease
A new study has found that a school-based asthma education program conducted in the Oakland, California school district was shown to reduce symptoms and increase the number of days that children who suffered from asthma were able to go to school.
Pregnant women with asthma can be more confident about some medicines
Women can usually keep using the same asthma drugs they were using before they got pregnant. Budesonide sprays are the best studied and can be regarded as safe.
Fall babies: Born to wheeze?
It is said that timing is everything, and that certainly appears to be true for autumn infants. Children who are born four months before the height of cold and flu season have a greater risk of developing childhood asthma than children born at any other time of year, according to new research.
Hospital visits for respiratory illnesses spiked during Southern California wildfires
Raging wildfires that engulfed Southern California earlier this decade not only destroyed neighborhoods laying in their path, they also caused significant health problems for many who lived outside the fires' reach.
The miseries of allergies just may help prevent some cancers, study finds
There may be a silver -- and healthy -- lining to the miserable cloud of allergy symptoms: Sneezing, coughing, tearing and itching just may help prevent cancer -- particularly colon, skin, bladder, mouth, throat, uterus and cervix, lung and gastrointestinal tract cancer, according to a new Cornell study.
Is ineffective esophageal motility associated with gastropharyngeal reflux disease?
IEM is associated with an increased acid clearance times in the distal esophagus. Gastropharyngeal reflux causes supraesophageal manifestations such as globus, chronic cough, hoarseness, asthma, chronic sinusitis, or other otorhinolaryngologic diseases.
Flu vaccination rates lag for at-risk adolescents
Influenza vaccination rates for adolescents who suffer from asthma and other illnesses are still far too low, according to a recent study.
Tweens and teens double use of diabetes drugs
America's tweens and teens more than doubled their use of type 2 diabetes medications between 2002 and 2005, with girls between 10 and 14 years of age showing a 166 percent increase. One likely cause: Obesity, which is closely associated with type 2 diabetes.
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