The congress is a leading forum for over 190 internationally renowned speakers in these areas to present innovative data from the forefront of immunology and allergy research. Over 1500 delegates throughout the world are due to attend this year's meeting in conjunction with 150 trade exhibitions. Highlights of key data include the following;

Aspirin/NSAID intolerance in asthma and rhinitis ⁽¹⁾
Aspirin is a type of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and it is used widely throughout the world as an effective treatment for mild-to-moderate pain. New data reveals that use of NSAIDs in certain types of asthmatic patients can cause severe bronchospasm and nasal congestion within 90 minutes of administration. These are often patients with asthma that are difficult to treat and require high doses of inhaled and nasal corticosteroids and frequent Courses of oral corticosteroids Dr S Nasser, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambndge and lead investigator commented that: "Correct identification of these types of aspirin-sensitive asthmatics is Crucial as a delay in diagnosis can often lead to years of misery and chronic under treatment for many patients"

Tolerance to cats: the alternative response to allergy and possible new therapies?⁽²⁾
Perennial allergic rhinitis is the cause of great morbidity for many patients and it is usually triggered by indoor allergens such the droppings of house dust mites or pet skin flakes (animal dander tram cats and dogs). To date, immune mechanisms of tolerance arising from natural respiratory exposure to some key allergens have not been evaluated. A study by Dr Woodfolk, Asthma and Allergic Diseases Centre, University of Virginia, Virginia. USA has for the first time identified aspects of the immune response related to tolerance to cat allergens that has implications for the design of allergen-specific immuno-therapy.

Too hygienic far our own good — a possible impact an mental health (9)
The incidences of disorders such as allergies and inflammatory bowel disease have been increasing rapidly over the past few years in developed countries. The ‘hygiene hypothesis’ suggests that this may be due to the diminished exposure humans have to micro-organisms, thus resulting in ill-equipped immune systems. T-cells are a form of white blood cells critical to the immune response and certain clinical trials within allergy research nave developed microbial components that drive the maturation of regulatory T-cells. However, use of these microbial components in humans has resulted in mood changes. This study recommends that the hygiene hypothesis’ to be expanded into the domains of mood, behaviour and psychiatric diseases such as depression because changes in immuno-regulation can alter the pattern of signalling to the brain. Relevant neural pathways have been traced in animal models. Correlations between allergies and depression, and vagal nerve stimulation alleviating depression add weight to this hypothesis.

The immunobiology of TSE diseases: a cure tar CJD an horizon?⁴
The limited help available to patients suffering from some of the most debilitating diseases of man, such as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE’s) or "prion diseases" underscores the urgent need to understand the pathological mechanisms of disease and the design of rational therapeutic strategies. Data presented today sheds light on a possible immunological approach to treat TSE diseases including Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) Following exposure to TSE’s, infection often targets cells that are present in the spleen and lymph nodes These cells are called the follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) and this new data suggests that they are crucial for neuroinvasion. Dr. Neil A. Mabbott Institute for Animal health, Edinburgh and lead investigator said that "New data offers an insight into possible future treatments for TES diseases such as CJD The data concludes that treatments that interfere with the function of certain cells Known as FDCs may offer a potential approach for early intervention in TSE diseases

CD-4 T cell memory⁵
T-cells are a form of white blood cells critical to The immune response. They are manufactured in the bone marrow but only become mature cells on reaching the thymus 00-4 cells are a subset of T-cells and this data investigated the factors that influence their life cycle. The results of a new study suggest that the maintenance CD-4 memory T-cells function is critically dependent on signals controlled by the major histocompatibility complex, the gene cluster that controls certain aspects of the immune response.

1. S. Nasser. Aspirin/NSAID intolerance in asthma and rhinitis Presented Tuesday 3rd December Ripley Suite Moat House Hotel

2. AJ Reefer, JA Woodfolk et al. Tolerance to Cats: the alternative response to allergy"? Presented Wednesday 4th December Royal Hail, Harrogate international Centre

3. G A W Rook. Immunoregulation the hygiene hypothesis and the brain. Presentation Thursday 5th December Harewood Suite, Moat House

4. N. A Mabbott The immunobiology of TSE diseases. a cure for CJD on horizon Presentation Thursday 5th December Ripley Suite. Moat House Hotel

5. S. Stockinger CD-4 T cell memory parameters influencing survival competition and function. Presentation Wednesday 4th December, Ballroom Majestic Hotel