Susana Echechipía

Three years of specific immunotherapy may be sufficient in house dust mite respiratory allergy

BACKGROUND Specific immunotherapy (SIT) duration for respiratory allergy is currently based on individual decisions. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the differences in clinical efficacy of SIT as a result of the duration between the current recommended limits (3-5 years). METHODS A 5-year prospective, controlled clinical trial of SIT blind until the first year and randomization to a 3-year (IT3) or 5-year (IT5) course was conducted. Of the 239 patients with respiratory allergy caused by D pteronyssinus initially included, 142 completed 3 years of SIT with good compliance. Twenty-seven controls were included at the third year. Efficacy of SIT after 3 (T3) and 5 (T5) years was assessed by using clinical scores, visual analog scales (VASs), rhinitis (RQLQ) and asthma (AQLQ) quality of life questionnaires, skin tests, and serum immunoglobulins. RESULTS At T3, significant reductions were observed in rhinitis (44% in IT3 and 50% in IT5; P < .001), asthma (80.9 % in IT3 and 70.9% in IT5; P < .001) scores, VAS (P < .001 in both), RQLQ (P < .001 in both) and AQLQ (P < .001 in both). At T5, the clinical benefit was maintained in both groups, and IT5 patients presented additional decreases (19%; P = .019) in rhinitis scores. At Tf, specific IgG(4) measurements were lower in IT3 (P = .03) without detecting differences in IT5. An increase in asthma score of 133% was the only difference observed in controls. CONCLUSION Clinical improvement is obtained with 3 years of D pteronyssinus SIT. Two additional years of SIT add clinical benefit in rhinitis only.

Double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study of Alternaria alternata immunotherapy: Clinical efficacy and safety

Allergen‐specific immunotherapy (ASIT) with fungal extracts has been beset by safety and efficacy problems, which result mainly from qualitative and quantitative variations. Little has been published on the safety and efficacy of these extracts. The objective was to analyze the safety and efficacy of ASIT with an Alternaria alternata extract. A total of 28 patients were selected with rhinitis and/or bronchial asthma because of Alternaria allergy and monosensitization to molds. The patients were randomized to an active ASIT or placebo group, both groups on a conventional immunotherapy schedule (increasing weekly doses until maintenance dose and then monthly doses). Adverse reactions were classified with the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology system. Clinical efficacy was analyzed for a year with symptom/medication diary cards, peak expiratory flow (PEF) measures, clinical severity score, severity of symptoms (visual analog scale), subjective evaluation of treatment by the patient and the physician, and a quality of life questionnaire. Twenty‐three patients completed the study; all reached the established maintenance dose with only two mild adverse reactions in the whole sample. Significant improvements were found after 6 months in respiratory symptoms in the active treatment group, and in all symptoms in both groups. PEF increased significantly in the active treatment group but not in the placebo group. The severity of asthma decreased in the active treatment group, and the severity of rhinitis decreased in both groups. Visual analog scale scores for severity of symptoms improved in all phases in the active treatment group, but only after 12 months in the placebo group. Physicians judged the disease course as significantly better in the active treatment group. ASIT with the A. alternata extract was safe, with clinical improvements after one year of treatment.

Comparison of conventional and component-resolved diagnostics by two different methods (Advia-Centaur/Microarray-ISAC) in pollen allergy

BACKGROUND Component-resolved diagnostics (CRD) has recently been introduced into clinical allergology. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the contribution that this new diagnostic technique makes to conventional diagnosis in patients with pollen allergy, comparing CRD with conventional technologies, and to compare 2 CRD methods, Advia-Centaur and Microarray-ISAC. METHODS Serum samples from 120 pollen-allergic patients were obtained. Immunoglobulin (Ig) E to total extracts (CAP System) and individual allergens using both CRD methods were determined. RESULTS The 3 diagnostic methods were in agreement in 62.5% of cases. In 30%, the CRD modified the conventional diagnosis either by detecting new relevant sensitizations (mainly to Olea) or by ruling out clinically irrelevant sensitizations caused by panallergens. The main differences between the 2 CRD methods were the deficiency in the ISAC version we used (ISAC-CRD-89) to detect sensitizations to Salsola and Plantago and that Advia-Centaur did not detect sensitizations to cypress. For all allergens except for Par j 1, a significant association in the frequency of sensitization was seen with the 2 CRD techniques and good agreement when comparing the results of the 2 methods in all cases. Significant correlation was found in the concentration of specific IgE in the 2 techniques for the most prevalent allergens in our setting. The results of the different profilins analyzed using Microarray-ISAC were superimposable although somewhat lower in the case of Phl p 12. CONCLUSIONS Component-resolved diagnostics modified the conventional diagnosis in 30% of cases. The results from the 2 CRD methods showed good agreement and correlation for most allergens.

Optimal duration of allergen immunotherapy in children with dust mite respiratory allergy

Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) discontinuation data in children remain scarce.

Assessment of short-term changes induced by a Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extract on asthmatic patients. Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND Once the optimal dose is reached, subcutaneous immunotherapy [SCIT] with mite extract is capable of reducing symptoms and the need for rescue medication. OBJECTIVE To assess the capacity of a subcutaneous extract of mites [D. pteronyssinus] to bring about a reduction in concomitant medication as well as in vivo and in vitro changes in just 2-3 months of treatment in patients with allergic asthma. METHODS A total of 45 patients with persistent mild-moderate allergic asthma due to sensitisation to D. pteronyssinus were included in a multi-centre, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Length of treatment was 4 months. After a period for adjusting medication in order to classify asthma severity appropriately, patients were commenced on treatment of 400 or 800 g/day of budesonide as concomitant medication. RESULTS After 4 months of treatment there were no significant changes in the budesonide dose between the active group and the placebo group. In the active group there was a significant difference between active and placebo group in sIgG4 [p=.0003], as well as a significant increase in the cutaneous tolerance index [2.81, CI 95%: 1.29 - 7.48, which was significant with a Confidence Interval of 95%]. These changes were not observed in the placebo group. CONCLUSION After just 4 months of treatment, SCIT was capable of inducing in vivo and in vitro changes, but these changes were not reflected in improved clinical outcome within the first 4 months of therapy.

Acute tryptase determinations in NSAID-induced anaphylaxis: could we avoid drug challenges?

Methods Retrospective review of patients attending the Emergency Department (2009-2013) for a NSAID induced anaphylaxis and with a tryptase determination. Patients were split into 3 groups according to the allergy workup Results Selective reactions (S) were defined by positive skin results and/or negative challenges with other NSAID; non-selective (NS) reactions were defined by the existence of symptoms with several NSAID or after positive challenge results. Those cases who did not comply with the previous conditions were non-conclusive (NC). We analysed: demographics, severity of the episode (Chi Square test), and rate of tryptase higher than 11.4 mcg/l (Chi Square test), median tryptase values and timing of sample obtention (Kruskall-Wallis).