Method of inducing tolerance to an allergen

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to the field of allergies. More particularly, the present invention provides a method for treating an allergy in a subject by inducing tolerance to an allergen associated with the allergy. Medicinal kits useful in protocols to induce tolerance or reduce intolerance in a subject also form part of the present invention.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for treating allergy or intolerance to a food allergen in a subject allergic or intolerant to the food allergen, said method comprising orally administering sequentially or simultaneously to said subject a probiotic and the food allergen or an antigenic component or fragment or analog thereof, in an amount effective to induce tolerance to said food allergen, wherein the probiotic is selected from the list consisting of a probiotic species of  Lactobacillus, Bifidiobacterium, Escherichia, Saccharomyces, Streptococcus, Bacillus  and a genetically modified form thereof. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the probiotic is a probiotic species of Lactobacillus selected from the list consisting of  Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus johnsonii, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus helveticus  and a genetically modified form thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the probiotic is  Lactobacillus rhamnosus.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the food allergens are found in milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, wheat, sesame, celery, celeriac, corn, pumpkin or fruit. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the subject is a human. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the subject is a non-human animal. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the non-human animal is selected from the list consisting of a companion animal, livestock animal and a captured wild animal. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising administration of a prebiotic. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the prebiotic is an oligosaccharide or a soluble or insoluble fibre material. 
     
     
         10 . A method for inducing tolerance to a food allergen in a subject with an allergy or intolerance to the food allergen, said method comprising orally administering sequentially or simultaneously to said subject a probiotic and the allergen or an antigenic component or fragment or analog thereof, in an amount effective to induce tolerance to the allergy. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the probiotic is selected from the list consisting of a probiotic species of  Lactobacillus, Bifidiobacterium, Escherichia, Saccharomyces, Streptococcus, Bacillus  and a genetically modified form thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the probiotic is selected from the list consisting of  Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus johnsonii, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus helveticus  and a genetically modified form thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the probiotic is  Lactobacillus rhamnosus.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the food allergen is found in milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, wheat, sesame, celery, celeriac, corn, pumpkin or fruit. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the subject is a human. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the subject is a non-human animal. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the non-human animal is selected from the list consisting of a companion animal, livestock animal and a captured wild animal. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising administration of a prebiotic. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the prebiotic is an oligosaccharide or a soluble or insoluble fibre material.