[Effect of treatment with HDM vaccine on selected immune parameters in children with bronchial asthma]

The purpose of the study was to trace the changes of certain parameters of humoral and cell-mediated immunity in children with asthma who received the HDM Bencard vaccine as specific immunotherapy. Among the immune parameters the levels of IgG, IgA and IgM and the phagocytosis index were determined, the E-rosette test and the HBT reduction test were done before the beginning of the treatment, after 3 months, 9 months and 3 years of desensitization. The results were subjected to statistical analysis, presented in tables and in diagrams. Of the three determined immunoglobulins only the IgG increased significantly, while the titres of IgA and IgM remained unchanged. Before desensitization the values of the per cent of T-cells in the E-rosette test were below the accepted normal level. During HDM desensitization the per cent of T-cells rose. The phagocytosis index and the NBT reduction test were lower in the asthmatic children than in healthy ones but during the treatment with HDM they reached significantly high values. These results confirmed that mechanism of the action of this immunotherapy is a complex one and influences several structures of the immune system. Raised values of the studied parameters during desensitization correlated with an evident improvement of the clinical status and marked reduction of the frequency of asthma attacks. During the treatment with the HFM vaccine no side effects of this therapy were noted.