Offering the most comprehensive Micro-immunotherapy service in the UK for both children and adults.

A child’s immune system is not yet fully mature during their first years of life. While newborns have a certain amount of protection against infection in their first few months thanks to antibodies passed on from their mother, their immune system subsequently has to learn how to defend itself against harmful intruders. Thus, every infection represents a form of training for the defense units, so immunity can be built up little by little. [1, 2, 3]

The anatomical, physical and biochemical immaturity of children’s immune system makes them more prone to infection. Early childhood, particularly during the winter months, is thus accompanied by frequent infections of the air passages (e.g., multiple episodes of bronchitis, ear infections, inflammations of the nose and throat). In addition, viral diseases, such as chickenpox, are some of the most frequent childhood illnesses.

Nutritional deficiencies, environmental pollution and lack of sleep can further burden a child’s immune system and facilitate the onset of illnesses such as allergies (e.g., asthma, sniffing) and skin diseases (e.g., warts, eczema).

Micro-immunotherapy can be applied in paediatric medicine to provide gentle support to a child’s immature immune system when dealing with infections, thereby minimising the risk of reoccurrence. It can also have an immunoregulatory effect on illnesses related to an underlying misdirected immune response. Through the use of low and ultra-low doses of immune transmitters (e.g., cytokines), it is also well tolerated by the organism of very young children and can be combined synergistically with other therapies.

References: 1. Levy O. Innate immunity of the newborn: basic mechanisms and clinical correlates. Nat Rev Immunol 2007 7(5): 379-390 / 2. Ygberg, S. and Nilsson, A. (2012), The developing immune system – from foetus to toddler. Acta Paediatrica, 101: 120-127. / 3. Lewis DB, Wilson CB. Developmental immunology and role of host defenses in fetal and neonatal susceptibility to infection. In: Remington JS, Klein OJ, Wilson CB, Baker CJ. Infectious diseases of the fetus and the newborn infant. 6è éd. Philadelphia: Saunders/Elsevier. 2005, p. 87-210.

Our organism is constantly exposed to numerous viruses, bacteria and parasites. These infections usually pass without being noticed, as the immune system defends us against these microorganisms before they can harm us. If, however, the defence mechanisms are damaged through internal or external factors, various diseases can occur:

• Viral infections (e.g. mononucleosis, oral (labialis) and genital (genitalis) herpes, shingles (herpes zoster), chickenpox, genital warts through papillomavirus, hepatitis)

• Bacterial infections (e.g. chlamydia, Lyme disease)

• Parasitic infections (e.g. toxoplasmosis)

Some of these microorganisms, such as the herpes viruses (e.g. the cytomegalovirus or Epstein-Barr virus infection), also possess the ability to remain in the body and reappear at a later stage, so that numerous diseases present or can become chronic [1]. These include chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, Hashimoto thyroiditis and multiple sclerosis, to name but a few. [2-5]

Micro-immunotherapy aims to strengthen the body’s natural defences against infection and to inhibit the propagation of disease pathogens.

References: 1. Fujinami RS et al. Molecular mimicry, bystander activation, or viral persistence: infections and autoimmune disease. Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 2006;19(1):80–94. / 2. Ascherio A, Munger KL. Epstein-barr virus infection and multiple sclerosis: a review. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol. 2010;5(3):271-277. / 3. Pender MP. CD8+ T-cell deficiency, Epstein-Barr virus infection, vitamin D deficiency and steps to autoimmunity: a unifying hypothesis. Autoimmune Dis 2012: 189096 / 4. Coskun O, Sener K, Kilik S y col. Stress related Epstein Barr virus reactivation. Clin Exp Med 2010, 10: 15-20. / 5. Janegova, A., Janega, P., Rychly B., Kuracinova, K. Babal, P. The role of Epstein-Barr virus infection in the development of autoimmune thyroid diseases. Endokrynol Pol 2015; 66 (2): 132–136

The importance of the intestines for our health goes far beyond their digestive function. As a point of surface with the outer world, they are continuously exposed to external factors, such as components of food, bacteria, viruses, and parasites, lending the gut an important function as a defense organ.

This protective system is made up of three components:

• Microbiota
  This refers to the whole collection of physiological microorganisms present in the intestines. In addition to suppressing undesired germs, the intestinal flora is, among other things, involved in the maturation of the immune system and has a positive effect on immune tolerance. [1]

• Intestinal mucosa
  This forms a physical barrier to the external world and has the dual role of, on the one hand, allowing nutrients and fluids to pass out through the intestine walls to the blood circulatory system and, on the other hand, protecting against the invasion of undesired germs. [2]

• Immune system of the gastrointestinal tract
  80% of immune cells can be found in the intestinal mucosa. The purpose of the immune system in the gastrointestinal tract is to efficiently combat disease pathogens found in the intestines while tolerating normal intestinal flora and food constituents. [2]

Disorders of intestinal permeability (leaky gut syndrome) and intestinal flora (dysbiosis) are closely associated with the occurrence of numerous diseases, including inflammatory intestinal diseases, such as Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis, but also chronic systemic diseases such as obesity and diabetes. [2] Behavioural and other neuropsychological disorders, including stress, depression and autism, have also been associated with disorders of normal intestinal function. [3, 4]

For intestinal diseases, micro-immunotherapy aims to modulate the inflammatory response and restore the immune tolerance of the intestines. In the context of psychoneuroimmunology, it can also make a significant contribution towards the regulation of the stress axis that can also influence the gastrointestinal system. [4]

References: 1. Petersen, C. & Round, J. L. De­fining dysbiosis and its influence on host immunity and disease. Cell. Microbiol. 16, 1024–1033 (2014). / 2. Richards, J. L., Yap, Y. A., McLeod, K. H., Mackay, C. R. & Mariño, E. Dietary metabolites and the gut microbiota: an alternative approach to control inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Clin. Transl. Immunol. 5, e82 (2016). / 3. Mangiola, F. et al. Gut microbiota in autism and mood disorders. World J. Gastroenterol. 22, 361–8 (2016). / 4. Dinan, T. G. & Cryan, J. F. Melancholic microbes: a link between gut microbiota and depression? Neurogastroenterol. Motil. 25, 713–719 (2013)

Nerves, hormones and the immune system speak the same language, which is based on neurotransmitters, cytokines and hormones, in such a way that they mutually influence each other. Disturbances to this complex regulatory circuit can contribute to numerous diseases.

In this context, it is well known that chronic stress is accompanied by the elevated production of inflammation mediators and a reduction in the happiness hormone serotonin, which can lead to the onset of neuropsychological diseases, such as depression. [1]

In addition, numerous studies have proven that immune disorders and chronic inflammation processes are associated with the neurodegenerative diseases Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. [2, 3]

The immunological approach based on treating neurological and psychological diseases, as adopted by micro-immunotherapy, is therefore gaining significance. The aim of the low-dose immunotherapy promoted by this treatment is mainly to curb excessive inflammation responses, as well as to balance improper functioning of the immune system, in order to limit or slow down the course of the disease.

References: 1. Kannarkat GT, Boss JM, Tansey MG. The role of innate and adaptive immunity in Parkinson’s disease. J Parkinsons Dis. 2013;3(4):493-514. / 2. Boutajangout A, Wisniewski T. The Innate Immune System in Alzheimer’s Disease. International Journal of Cell Biology. 2013;2013:576383. / 3. Aye Mu Mint, Brian E Leonard, Harry WM Steinbusch, Yong Ku Kim. Th1, Th2 and Th3 cytokine alterations in major depression. J Affect Disord. 2005; 88(2):167-73.

The skin is the largest organ of the human body. It is the point of contact between the body and the outside world and fulfils numerous important functions: it acts as a protective barrier against harmful external aggressions, is responsible for temperature regulation, transmits sense stimuli, and even possesses immunological functions influenced by the skin flora. [1, 2]

There are different aspects that affect skin functionality, including genetics or environmental factors, among others, and that makes the body more prone to illness. Furthermore, liver and intestinal disorders (such as intestinal dysbiosis) can have a negative effect on skin function. [3, 4]

An alteration of deficiency of the immune system can lead to numerous skin disorders. These include:

• Inflammatory, autoimmune, and chronic diseases (e.g. atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, scleroderma, alopecia areata, vitiligo, etc.)

• Infections (e.g., chickenpox, shingles, cold sores and genital, warts, papillomavirus, Lyme disease…)

• Allergies (e.g., allergic dermatitis)

• Skin aging

Therapeutic strategies applied for skin disorders should therefore not only take into account the symptoms but also the underlying immune deficiencies and factors involved that sustain these disorders. These include, for example, stress, inflammation and infection.

Micro-immunotherapy eliminates possible sources of irritation for the immune system and restores the balance of misdirected immune processes.

References: 1. Belkaid Y, Segre JA. Dialogue between skin microbiota and immunity. Science 346: 954- 959, 2014 / 2. Castrillon Rivera LE, Palma Ramos A y Padilla Desgarennes C. La función inmunológica de la piel. Dermatologia Rev Mex 52: 211- 24, 2008 / 3. Dogra S, Jindal, R. Cutaneous Manifestations of Common Liver Diseases. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology. 2011;1(3):177–184. / 4. Vaughn A et al. Skin-gut axis: The relationship between intestinal bacteria and skin health. World Journal of Dermatology. 2017; 6(4):52-58.