According to Asthma UK, around 5.4 million people in the UK are receiving treatment for asthma. This equates to one in every 12 adults and one in every 11 children. Of those with asthma, approximately 5% have severe asthma.

It is estimated that three people die every day as a result of asthma attacks, with research revealing that two thirds of asthma-related deaths are preventable.

While there isn't a cure for asthma, the majority of people with asthma are able to manage their symptoms with treatment.

However, new research by the University of Edinburgh Medical School has identified a new molecule produced by parasitic worms that could help in finding new therapies for people with asthma.

The study, 'HpARI Protein Secreted by a Helminth Parasite Suppresses Interleukin-33', has recently been published in the journal Immunity.

The research, which was conducted with the Medical Research Council Centre for Inflammation Research, found that parasitic worms living in the intestines, known as roundworms, release a protein molecule which prevents the host from having an allergic reaction.

Analysis of the worms' secretions revealed that the molecule Heligmosomoides polygyrus alarmin release inhibitor (HpARI) blocked the signals between cells of the immune system that are associated with allergic responses.

It was noted by the researchers that asthma attacks are often triggered by allergies, such as pollen, pets, and house dust mites. Therefore, finding ways to reduce allergic reactions could potentially prevent life-threatening asthma attacks.

Countries where parasitic worms are common have lower reports of asthma. For example, in South East Asia, fewer than one in 20 people are known to suffer from the respiratory disease.

Dr Henry McSorley, who led the research alongside Professor Rick Maizels from the University of Glasgow, commented: "We have known for some years that infections with parasitic worms appear to protect people against asthma.

"This has led to the proposal that deliberate self-infection with parasites could help asthma; however, this can be uncomfortable and impractical, as well as potentially causing other health issues.

"We have always believed that a better technique would be to identify how parasites prevent asthma, so that new parasite-inspired treatments can be developed."

He added: "By identifying this new protein, we have found a new method of suppressing the allergic responses which cause asthma, and in the future, we hope to develop this toward further treatments for allergic disease."

Initial studies with mice have shown that treatment with HpARI has helped stop allergic reactions similar to those witnessed in asthma.

Commenting on the findings, director of research & policy at Asthma UK, Dr Samantha Walker, said: "This is exciting early research that could pave the way for the development of new treatments for asthma. It is becoming clear that there are many different types of asthma and that not all of them respond to current treatment, which is why research like this is so important."

The study was funded by Asthma UK, the Medical Research Council and Wellcome.