Asthma

Asthma is characterised by episodes of cough, wheeze and breathlessness. These symptoms are caused by narrowing of the small airways in the lungs in response to triggers such as house dust mite, as well as inflammation and excess mucus production, which reduce airflow in and out of the lungs.

We are recognised as a world leader in research for the prevention and treatment of asthma. We are focusing on how asthma develops, better ways to manage and monitor asthma and new treatments.

 

We are recognised as a world leader in research for the prevention and treatment of asthma.  We are focusing on how asthma develops, better ways to manage and monitor asthma and new treatments.

Did you know?

• Asthma is the most common chronic illness in children.
• In Australia, asthma affects around 40 per cent of children and adolescents.
• There is no current way of preventing the development of asthma - all treatments are designed to control asthma symptoms once they have developed.
• The western world has seen a dramatic increase in the prevalence of asthma in the past few decades, and while there is no doubt that factors associated with the “western way of life” are involved, the precise cause of the increase remains elusive. As well as environmental and physical factors, psychosocial factors may play a part.

Our research
During 2007, we continued recruitment of the first 50 children at high risk of developing asthma for a world-first international trial of an asthma vaccine  The trial is being led from Perth with other trial sites in Melbourne and New York and involves giving children drops under the tongue of a mixture of the three most important allergens known to be associated with asthma - house dust mite, cat and grass allergens.  The aim of the vaccine is to educate the immune system to recognise these allergens as normal, rather than over-reacting.  Results from the first 50 children to complete the 12-month dose of drops are expected in 2008 with the trial then expanding into Sweden and Germany with a further recruitment of 150 children.

 

In 2007, we continued the 10-year follow-up of children in our Childhood Asthma Study.  Two hundred and sixty three children at high genetic risk of asthma were recruited between 1996 and 1998 and closely followed until they reached five years of age.  We’ve collected extensive data on early respiratory infections, wheezing and development of allergic diseases such as eczema and asthma.  At the 10-year assessment, children undergo lung function, blood and skin prick testing to determine their allergic status and we also collect information about environmental pollutants such as pesticides and dietary information.  The current follow-up will conclude in 2008.

 

We have continued our research into the links between asthma and sunlight.  The body’s main source of vitamin D comes from skin exposure to sunlight.   We have recently found that vitamin D can significantly increase the activity of cells able to regulate responses to allergens, including those that can initiate and sustain asthma responses.  We know that exposure of skin to UV radiation can affect immune responses at other body sites.  In 2007 we studied bone marrow cells of UV-irradiated mice and as part of a compensatory mechanism have found them deficient in immune reactivity.