February 28, 2011 17:28 PM

Scientists Find Way to use Microbes to Treat Atopic Skin Disease

SEOUL, Feb 28 (Bernama) — South Korean scientists said Monday that they have found a way to use microbes to help treat atopic skin disease that affects a large number of people around the world. the discovery by the Korea University team led by microbiology professors Park Yong-keun and Yoon Won-suck, centres on creating a small interface ribonucleic acid (RNA) or miRNA, that suppresses the CCL22RNA, cited for triggering skin inflammatory reactions, Yonhap News Agency reported. Atopic skin disease, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a irritating skin disorder that includes symptoms of itching, scaling of the skin and redness. the scientists said the miRNA was massed produced with the assistance of Salmonella bacteria that had been specifically engineered to be harmless to humans. “The Salmonella bacteria helps strengthen the potency of the treatment substance and makes it more effective in suppressing atopic conditions,” the scientists claimed, citing good test results on laboratory mice with atopic skin conditions. the findings published in the latest issue of the international Experimental and Molecular Medicine journal showed that the new material was less costly to make compared to existing treatment that utilises genetic therapy, can be made into drugs that can be swallowed, and have no known side effects. the university researchers said patents have been requested as of last year with preliminary clinical tests to be conducted in 2012. — BERNAMA

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Allergic reactions occur in response to a variety of substances, including environmental agents, food, medication, venom and contact agents. Common inhaled allergens are pollen from trees, grasses and weeds which provoke seasonal allergy symptoms. Year- round inhaled allergens include dust mites, molds, feathers, and dander from animals such as cats, dogs and horses. Cockroaches are also thought to cause allergic reactions and are believed to pay a role in inner city asthma. Venoms from sting insects, including honey bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets and fire ants can also provoke type-1 allergy symptoms.

Allergy symptoms commonly occur in three conditions: allergic rhinitis, asthma and atopic dermatitis. Rhinitis allergy symptoms include nasal congestion, sneezing and a watery nose, while allergic conjunctivitis presents with allergy symptoms of itchy, watery eyes.

Typical allergy symptoms can occur year around or seasonally. Chronic inflammation of the nasal and sinus passages due to allergies can also predispose to the development of sinus infections. Typical allergy symptoms of rhinitis can occur unrelated to allergies such as with exposure to irritants or as a side effect from chronic use of topical decongestants.

Asthma is a condition in which the airways become inflamed, leading to typical allergy symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness or a repetitive cough. Asthma is classified according to the frequency and severity of typical allergic symptoms and the degree of airway obstruction as measured by a lung function test. Typical allergic symptoms of asthma can be provoked by both allergic and non-allergic triggers.

Weakened smallpox vaccine shown safe, effective in those with eczemaBavarian Nordic of Denmark announced yesterday that its non-replicating smallpox vaccine Imvamune was safe and effective in people with a skin disorder that places them at increased risk of severe side effects from traditional replicating smallpox vaccines. the conventional smallpox vaccine that makes up most of the US stockpile uses live vaccinia virus, which is related to the smallpox virus and can cause rare but potentially life-threatening side effects. In the phase 2 clinical trial of Imvamune, 350 people who had mild to moderate eczema (atopic dermatitis) and 282 healthy subjects had strong vaccinia-specific immune responses and good tolerance profiles after vaccination, according to a company press release. "the data from this trial strongly suggest that Imvamune is suitable for individuals with atopic dermatitis," said Bavarian Nordic President and CEO Anders Hedegaard. "With these results, the government can and should take the next step of expanding the population it protects with this vaccine." the release did not specify how immune response was measured or the number and type of adverse events. the US government has stockpiled 20 million doses of Imvamune for people with immune deficiencies, such as those with HIV.Feb 1 Bavarian Nordic press release

Cholera reported in Canada, possible case cited in US deporteeA Canadian woman was treated for cholera at a Montreal hospital after spending time in Haiti, while a Haitian man who was deported from the United States died of a cholera-like illness in a jail in his home country, according to news reports today. Lucie Dufresne, a spokeswoman for the University of Montreal Hospital Centre, said a cholera patient was admitted on new Year’s Day and received antibiotics and rehydration therapy during her 2-day stay, according to a Canadian Press (CP) report. the case is the only one in Quebec since the start of the Haitian epidemic, Dufresne said. meanwhile, the Associated Press (AP) reported that a Haitian who was among the first US detainees to be deported to Haiti since the January 2010 earthquake died after suffering cholera-like symptoms. Wildrick Guerrier, 34, was deported to Haiti on Jan 20 with 26 others, all but one of whom had been convicted of a crime in the United States, the story said. Immigration advocates said Guerrier was healthy before he was confined in a cell with 17 other men, according to the story. He was released to his aunt’s care Jan 27 but died on Jan 29. Michelle Karshan of Alternative Chance, a group that works with criminal deportees to Haiti, said at least one other deportee is now suffering from cholera-like symptoms in Haiti, according to the report.Feb 2 CP storyFeb 2 AP story