Supporting research on food allergies from Ireland

Mexican researcher Xochilt Marcela Esparza, studying for her masters in Ireland, proposed a joint Mexico-Ireland study to carry out a protocol on food allergies and their relationship with kidney disease—especially allergy to cow's milk that in recent years has been so frequent in Mexico.

A pediatric specialist, she mentions that she has always been interested in immunology and allergies, and traveled to the European nation to improve her English, and was given the opportunity to do a postgraduate course in clinical research. And had the opportunity to work with a Mexican doctor at the University Hospital of Galway.

While in Mexico she visited one of her former teachers, a specialist in allergies, who told her that she had seen several children present an milk allergy-associated problem that caused metabolic acidosis.

Esparza discovered that there are few studies on this condition, although its frequency has increased in Mexico. Her former teacher asked if there was a possibility of collaboration between the University of Guadalajara and the University Hospital of Galway to carry out a protocol.

"Back in Galway I contacted doctor Moylett and set out to do a collaboration. The protocol is carried out using data of Mexican children in order to find the relationship between food allergies and kidney diseases, especially at an immune level. In Ireland, I have the support of Dr. Martin O'Donnell."

Currently, the specialist "collects" data and information from the Hospital of Guadalajara to submit the protocol. So far the Mexican has registered a increased incidence in children with food allergies.

According to these data, several children have presented allergy problems to a protein in cow's milk, following metabolic acidosis. If they stop consuming dairy products, they have metabolic improvements.

"Currently, there are few studies on this association. We do not know if the population in Mexico is the only one with this problem. We don't know its importance, therefore, the study will be new. Protocol would start with 200 children who present allergy to milk, soy, wheat, egg and corn, which are the most common food allergens for the population."

"We want to find the prevalence and incidence, and with the results we will make a cohort study in the Mexican population, and then compare it as long as we find some information of children with this disease in Ireland."

Provided by Investigación y Desarrollo