http://www.celiac.com/articles/21607/1/European-Study-Will-Focus-on-Relation-of-Gut-Bacteria-to-Autoimmune-Disease-in-Children/Page1.html
European Study Will Focus on Relation of Gut Bacteria to Autoimmune
Disease in Children
Celiac.com
06/19/08
Today in most modern countries, children are being raised in bacteria-
free environments, yet studies are seeing a rising incidence of
autoimmune disease and allergies. Previous studies have found that
Finnish children are six times more likely to have type 1 diabetes and
a five times higher rate of celiac disease than Russian children
despite equal genetic susceptibility. Over-cleanliness and life-style
may be promoting the higher prevalence of these disorders.
The Diabimmune study, backed by the EU with EUR 6 million in
financing, is asking whether by removing all bacteria, we are not
actually weakening our children's immune systems. Led by the
University of Helsinki, researchers from 5 European countries will
collaborate on Diabimmune, a study involving some 7000 children which
will last from 2008-2013. The study will focus on the development of
the intestinal bacterial flora after birth, the effect that the living
environment has on the composition of the bacterial flora, the effect
infections have on the maturation of the human immune system, and the
operation of the white blood cells that regulate immune responses. In
addition, the researchers will examine whether the protection
conferred by infections against autoimmune and allergic responses is
associated with the overall infection load or due to specific
microbes. It is expected that the results will provide much needed
insight into celiac disease, other autoimmune disorders, and
allergies.
For the first time, researchers will comprehensively monitor the
composition of microbes populating the intestines of developing
infants and study how the microbes may influence the development of
allergies and autoimmune disease, including celiac disease. Finally,
conclusive evidence may be found which may answer the question of
whether gut bacteria is involved the pathogenesis of celiac disease.
Are immune systems becoming lazy?
European Research Headlines 18 June 2008
http://ec.europa.eu/research/headlines/news/article_08_06_18_en.html
Researchers from five countries to test hygiene hypothesis with EU
funding
University of Helsinki 29 May 2008
http://www.med.helsinki.fi/english/news/20080529_DIABIMMUNE.htm
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