Scientists in Trinity College Dublin have been awarded almost €2 million to develop a new treatment which could potentially cure allergic diseases such as asthma.
The funding, which was awarded by the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), was awarded to a team of five scientists led by expert immunologist Dr Padraic Fallon. They will investigate how a parasitic worm, Schistosoma mansoni, may serve as an antidote to treat lung and skin diseases such as asthma, psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease.
Allergies are a phenomenon only in developed countries. Ireland has one of the highest incidences in the world of allergic diseases, with the fourth-highest rate of asthma sufferers in the world. The number of those affected by allergies in Ireland is rapidly rising, particularly among children, as three out of 10 children suffer with asthma.
Although the exact cause as to why such high levels of allergies exist both in Ireland and developed countries is unknown, it is thought that improved diets, cleaner environments and the reduction of infectious diseases have caused the immune system to malfunction. An integral part of the research conducted by the group examines how the presence of the Schistosome worm in underdeveloped countries has made people there less susceptible to allergies.
"Our research focuses on the presence of infectious diseases in underdeveloped countries, in particular bacteria found in the Schistosome worm. Extensive research has proven that 250 million people in Africa and Brazil who are infected by the particular worm have lower allergic responses," Dr Fallon said.
Describing the worm as "the drug cabinet of the future", he said: "The study is particularly exciting as it harnesses how the worm modifies immunity in our bodies to stimulate protection from undesirable inflammation."
Previous research by the immunology group was based on a similar theory using the parasitic worm. In 2005, the team made a significant breakthrough in discovering that experimental infections treated with Schistosomes can prevent asthma - like lung inflammation and anaphylaxis; an acute allergic reaction which is caused by certain foods, drugs and materials which can lead to complete airway obstruction and in some cases can be fatal.
Extending this research, the expert group says it should be able to identify what part of the worm can be used to treat allergy and inflammatory bowel disease, with the hope that it will result in a new approach to treating patients suffering from autoimmune diseases.
Dr Fallon said: "It's significant that SFI is supporting our immunology research on diseases that affect many Irish families and, in particular, their children."