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 thereof, wherein the probiotic is Lactobacillus rhamnosus. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the food allergen is found in milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, wheat, sesame, celery, celeriac, corn, pumpkin or fruit. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is a human. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is a non-human animal. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the non-human animal is selected from the group consisting of a companion animal, a livestock animal and a captured wild animal. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising administration of a prebiotic. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the prebiotic is an oligosaccharide or a soluble or insoluble fibre material. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the probiotic and the food allergen are provided in different formulations. 
     
     
         9 . 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, wherein the probiotic is  Lactobacillus rhamnosus.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the food allergen is found in milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, wheat, sesame, celery, celeriac, corn, pumpkin or fruit. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the subject is a human. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the subject is a non-human animal. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the non-human animal is selected from the group consisting of a companion animal, a livestock animal and a captured wild animal. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising administration of a prebiotic. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the prebiotic is an oligosaccharide or a soluble or insoluble fibre material. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the probiotic and the food allergen are provided in different formulations.