Allergies & The Hygiene Hypothesis: Why They’re Rising

South Korean biotechnology firm Prothia has developed a diagnostic technology capable of identifying 176 different allergens simultaneously, a significant leap forward in allergy testing.

Currently, global competitors offer allergy tests that screen between 20 and 60 allergens with a single blood sample. Prothia’s patented technology surpasses these capabilities, offering a comprehensive allergy profile in a single test. The development comes as allergy rates continue to rise, particularly in developed nations, a phenomenon often referred to as a “disease of civilization.”

Experts suggest the increase in allergies is linked to the “hygiene hypothesis,” which posits that reduced exposure to parasites in cleaner environments leads the immune system to overreact to harmless substances like proteins. This shift in immune response is believed to be a key factor in the growing prevalence of allergic diseases.

While multi-allergen testing methods accounted for 51.2% of allergy diagnostics in 2008, their usage has surged to 81.2% as of 2024, indicating a clear trend towards more comprehensive testing approaches. Prothia aims to capitalize on this growing demand by entering the advanced market with its 176-allergen test.

Beyond allergy diagnostics, Prothia is likewise developing veterinary diagnostic kits and antibiotic susceptibility testing technologies, expanding its portfolio within the broader healthcare sector. The company’s advancements in allergy testing come as the prevalence of allergic conditions continues to climb globally. According to data from South Korea’s Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, as of 2021, 18.8% of adults over the age of 19 suffer from allergic rhinitis, 5.6% from atopic dermatitis, and 3.0% from asthma.