Anaphylaxis To Australian Native Ant Venoms; Major Allergens, Cross-reactivity, Diagnosis And Risk Assessment.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$345,813.00
Summary
Insect venom allergy is a major cause of life-threatening allergy (anaphylaxis) in this country, and native ants are the most frequent cause in some regions. For introduced insects (bees and wasps), venom extracts are widely available for diagnostic and therapeutic use, but this is not yet the case for native ants. As many as 50,000 Australians may be affected by allergy to stings from ants in the native genus Myrmecia. This project will provide an in-depth understanding of the ant species respo ....Insect venom allergy is a major cause of life-threatening allergy (anaphylaxis) in this country, and native ants are the most frequent cause in some regions. For introduced insects (bees and wasps), venom extracts are widely available for diagnostic and therapeutic use, but this is not yet the case for native ants. As many as 50,000 Australians may be affected by allergy to stings from ants in the native genus Myrmecia. This project will provide an in-depth understanding of the ant species responsible for anaphylaxis in Australia. We will develop a range of diagnostic test modules, a detailed national map of causative species, and a panel of reference venoms and allergic sera, so that accurate diagnostic tests can be assured, and so that high quality venom extracts can be provided for human use (immunotherapy). We will also study allergic volunteers for up to five years, so as to determine which people are at the highest risk of repeated stings and reactions and thus most likely to benefit from desensitisation. Current evidence suggests that the commonest cause of native insect venom allergy may be the jack jumper ant Myrmecia pilosula, for which a desensitising venom extract has been developed and shown to be highly effective in preventing life threatening reactions. The research described in this application will enable doctors to ensure an accurate diagnosis, which is an essential step before desensitising treatment can be offered for jack jumper allergy. Another large group of people are probably allergic to larger Myrmecia known as bull dog ants or inch ants. Our results with regard to cross-reactivity patterns and venom similarities will enable us to determine an optimum therapeutic mixture of bull dog ant venoms and thus enable us to provide treatment for people allergic to these ants as well.Read moreRead less
Prevention And Improved Management Of Paediatric Food Allergy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$479,882.00
Summary
There is an urgent need to prevent food allergy and better manage its consequences. My research will identify: causes of food allergy (primary prevention); factors leading to adverse events in food allergic children (secondary prevention); and the role of food allergy in the ‘atopic march’ i.e. progression to other allergic conditions (tertiary prevention). The results of my research will be used to update policy and practice guidelines to change behaviour and improve clinical care.
The aim of this proposal is to test the safety of a novel immunotherapy based on Helicobacter pylori platform technology to treat childhood allergies. Repeated oral administration of killed H. pylori mimics colonisation in the stomach and assists the development of a balanced immune system without the associated disease risk of live H. pylori. To achieve this goal Professor Barry Marshall has assembled a cross-disciplinary team of experts from Industry, Academia and Clinic.
Understanding The Immune Mechanisms Leading To Resolution Of Peanut Allergy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$602,472.00
Summary
Food allergy affects up to 10% of children and rates are rising. The greatest rise has been in peanut allergy which is the commonest cause of life threatening reactions. Currently, there is no cure for food allergy. Management relies on food avoidance which is impossible to achieve. Recent deaths in children from food allergy highlight the need for an effective treatment. This project will examine what happens when you grow out of peanut allergy. New information will lead to possible cures.
Population Prevalence And Environmental-genetic Predictors Of Food Allergy In An Infant Cohort
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$551,642.00
Summary
This study will measure which children are at greatest risk of food allergy. We plan to recruit 5000 children to test for food allergies, as well as asking a range of questions on different lifestyle factors such as diet and history of allergies . If positive, participants will be invited to a hospital clinic for tests and treatment. This will allow us to describe the epidemiology of food allergy, and assist the development of better services for those with food allergy in the community.
Immunological And Molecular Basis Of Anaphylaxis Caused By Peanut And Tree Nut Allergy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$195,691.00
Summary
An allergy to nuts is estimated to affect 1% of the population and peanuts are the major cause of fatal food-induced anaphylaxis. Five deaths occurred in the UK in 1993 which attracted media attention to the gravity of this problem. Proteins in the nut trigger a massive immunological reaction that causes the body to go into anaphylactic shock in which all the major body systems shut down. Nut allergy usually presents in infancy and persists indefinitely. As nuts are used in a wider and less visi ....An allergy to nuts is estimated to affect 1% of the population and peanuts are the major cause of fatal food-induced anaphylaxis. Five deaths occurred in the UK in 1993 which attracted media attention to the gravity of this problem. Proteins in the nut trigger a massive immunological reaction that causes the body to go into anaphylactic shock in which all the major body systems shut down. Nut allergy usually presents in infancy and persists indefinitely. As nuts are used in a wider and less visible range of food products, sensitisation is increasing and occurring earlier. It has been proposed, wrongly, that peanut (groundnut) allergic patients do not suffer from allergy to tree nuts (hazel, almond, Brazil, walnut). However a British survey of 1250 patients suffering from peanut anaphylaxis revealed that 50% of people with peanut allergy are also allergic to other nuts confirming our own clinical observations. At present, unlike insect venom allergy, grass pollen allergy and house dust mite allergy, there is no preventative treatment available. We plan to explore peanut allergy and investigate cross-reactivity between peanuts and major tree nuts to attempt to identify an allergen(s) that could explain the molecular nature of the allergy and offer approaches to immunotherapy. This information is necessary if we are to achieve safe and effective allergy shots for patients with this life long and life-threatening allergy as well as assisting in the development of better diagnosticRead moreRead less
Probiotic Prawn Oral Immunotherapy (ProPIT) For Treatment Of Prawn Allergy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,865,369.00
Summary
A ‘curative’ food allergy treatment is needed to prevent deaths and improve care. We recently showed that probiotic peanut oral immunotherapy (PPOIT) was highly effective for treating peanut allergy. 82% of PPOIT treated children gained tolerance compared to 4% of the placebo group. We will now test the combined probiotic-food OIT approach for treating prawn allergy. If successful, we will have identified the first treatment for prawn allergy and a platform treatment for other food allergies.
The main purpose of this study is to understand how airborne fungi affect asthmatics who are allergic to them. Fungi or moulds release large numbers of spores into the air that are inhaled. In many cases fungal spores outnumber other particles that carry allergen, such as pollens or cat dander, by 100 to 1. This makes fungi the most common potential allergen in the environment. Fungi have been associated with respiratory diseases including fungal sinusitis, asthma, rhinitis, allergic alveolitis ....The main purpose of this study is to understand how airborne fungi affect asthmatics who are allergic to them. Fungi or moulds release large numbers of spores into the air that are inhaled. In many cases fungal spores outnumber other particles that carry allergen, such as pollens or cat dander, by 100 to 1. This makes fungi the most common potential allergen in the environment. Fungi have been associated with respiratory diseases including fungal sinusitis, asthma, rhinitis, allergic alveolitis and sick building syndrome. Largely due to their diversity and complexity, allergenic fungi have not been well studied and the ways in which individuals vary when inhaling spores is not known. Unlike other allergenic particles, it is unlikely that fungal spores release their allergen as soon as they are inhaled because we have shown in earlier in vitro studies that fungi continue to release allergen over time and this is likely to be the case when they are inhaled. Our laboratory has developed two new techniques that allow us to measure how many spores people inhale and whether they are allergic to them. This study will use these tools to detect and identify the important allergenic fungi involved in domestic and outdoor exposure of asthmatics, the degree of contribution to the total allergen load to which subjects are exposed and identify in what conditions fungi are the causal agents in location-specific symptoms. This study will also investigate allergen production of fungi in situ in the human nose, which will have application in allergic sinusitis and asthma amongst other respiratory diseases. We will investigate how readily allergenic spores germinate in the nose and under what conditions they release allergen.Read moreRead less
Designing new generation adjuvants for allergy and parasite vaccines. Allergy vaccines have the potential to provide a permanent cure against many allergic diseases, currently affecting 20-30 per cent of people in developed countries. This project will study how allergy vaccines work and how we can improve their effectiveness and safety.
Modified Peanut Allergen Combined With A Novel Dietary Adjuvant As A Cure For Peanut Allergy: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,130,021.00
Summary
Peanut allergy is common and there is no cure. Current studies of peanut immunotherapy have shown the effects are not generally long lasting with many side effects. We plan to study a novel form of oral peanut immunotherapy using modified peanut and a dietary fibre (modified starch) supplement. We have evidence that modified peanut may work to desensitise patients with less side effects and that the diet supplement protects animals from developing food allergy.