Health & Medicine, Australia (Commonwealth Union) – Scientists from Barwon Health, Deakin University, and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute made a key finding in regard to food allergies.
The findings that appeared in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology demonstrated strong evidence that older siblings hasten the rate at which babies form their gut microbiome and that this guards them against allergic conditions.
Roughly 1 in every 10 Australian babies forms food allergies, which is the largest number across the globe. Scientists have known for over 3 decades that an increased number of siblings gives protection against allergic conditions and asthma, however, its mechanism remained unknown as indicated in the study.
Humans along with their gut microbiome have coevolved over time. The intricate ecosystem of bacteria, yeast, and fungi residing in the human gut, collectively known as the gut microbiome, plays a vital role in maintaining our overall health and well-being.
New insights from the Barwon Infant Study have provided compelling evidence that older siblings significantly accelerate the pace at which babies form their gut microbiome, leading to enhanced protection against allergic diseases.
Under the guidance of Professor Peter Vuillermin, a renowned pediatrician and Director of Research at Barwon Health, the research team diligently collected fecal samples from over 1000 infants throughout their infancy. Subsequently, the team assessed whether these children exhibited allergic reactions to five different types of food when they reached the age of one. The infants underwent a skin prick allergy test, and if the results were positive, a food challenge was conducted at the University Hospital Geelong. Notably, the most prevalent forms of food allergies observed were related to eggs and peanuts. To gauge the composition of the baby’s gut bacteria, the team examined the DNA extracted from the fecal samples. They meticulously analyzed whether the presence of siblings and the ownership of dogs influenced the maturation rate of the baby’s gut microbiome. Furthermore, they investigated whether a more mature microbiome correlated with the risk of developing food allergies.
The findings from this study shed light on the critical role that older siblings play in expediting the development of an infant’s gut microbiome. This accelerated maturation process subsequently enhances the infant’s resilience to food allergies, as indicated by the decreased risk of allergic reactions to common allergens like eggs and peanuts.
Researcher Yuan Gao finished the study as a component of her PhD work at Deakin University stating that the findings were striking.
Dr Gao indicated that babies having elder siblings were with much more mature gut microbiome when they were 1 year old.
She also indicated that the really exciting part was that they had the capability to demonstrate that a more mature gut microbiome had a key role in the guarding effect of siblings on the baby’s risk of food allergy.
Professor Vuillermin stated that the Barwon Infant Study was a move in people power meeting cutting-edge science.
According to Professor Vuillermin, the families involved in this study have displayed exceptional generosity by dedicating their time and cooperation. Over the span of a decade, a team of researchers from various regions of Australia and abroad has tirelessly collaborated to produce over 60 scientifically reviewed papers.
Looking ahead, the upcoming task is to create and evaluate preventive measures and treatments that specifically address this mechanism.
Substantial evidence indicates that exposure to environmental bacteria plays a crucial role in fostering the development of a robust immune system, thereby emphasizing the significance of this pathway.
“Building on the findings from the Barwon Infant Study we are conducting a clinical trial, named ARROW, in which we aim to recruit over 2000 kids across Australia and New Zealand, to test whether a mixture of killed bacteria taken orally can protect young kids from wheezing illnesses – or what some would call asthma – by boosting a healthy response to viral infections.”
