Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026
08:47
Symptom Assessment of Patients with Allergic Rhinitis Using an Allergen Exposure Chamber
Published on: March 3, 2023
[Allergy vaccination in Norway].
1Kvinne-Barneklinikken Stavanger universitetssjukehus, Postboks 8100, 4068 Stavanger. oykn@sus.no
Summary
Allergen-specific immunotherapy is underutilized in Norway compared to neighboring countries, with significant variations in treatment availability and practices across different regions. Side effects were reported as low, with no anaphylactic reactions.
Area of Science:
- Allergy and immunology
- Clinical practice
- Public health
Context:
- Allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) is a crucial treatment for severe allergies.
- ASIT use in Norway lags behind other Scandinavian nations.
- Understanding ASIT's current application in Norway is essential.
Purpose:
- To assess the current status of allergen-specific immunotherapy in Norway.
- To document patient numbers, treatment protocols, allergens used, and side effects.
- To identify regional variations in ASIT provision.
Summary:
- In 2005, 2,400 patients (5.2 per 10,000 inhabitants) received ASIT in Norway.
- Significant regional disparities were observed in patient numbers, treatment regimens, and allergens utilized.
- Systemic side effects were infrequent, with severe events occurring in 1.2 per 1,000 injections and no reported anaphylaxis.
Impact:
- ASIT availability and application vary considerably across Norwegian counties.
- The findings highlight potential inequities in access to allergy treatment.
- Further investigation into the reasons for underutilization and regional variation is warranted.
Related Concept Videos
01:51Vaccinations
Overview
02:06Allergic Reactions
Overview
01:30Allergic Reactions: Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction mediated by Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. When IgE binds to allergens, it triggers the release of mediators– histamine, leukotrienes, and prostaglandins from mast cells and basophils. These mediators cause vasodilation, edema, and inflammation, leading to various symptoms.The primary allergens causing anaphylaxis include food items (e.g., peanuts, shellfish), drugs (e.g., penicillin, asparaginase, corticotropin, heparin),...
01:27Allergic Drug Reactions
Allergic reactions related to drugs are hypersensitivity responses driven by the immune system and bear no connection to the drug's therapeutic action. While drugs in isolation do not trigger an immune response, they can interact with endogenous proteins to form antigens. These antigens stimulate lymphocytes to produce antibodies. IgE-type antibodies attach themselves to mast cells. Upon subsequent exposure to the same stimulus, the antigen-antibody interaction is initiated, unleashing numerous...
01:21Vaccines
Vaccines are among the most effective tools in preventive medicine, designed to prepare the immune system to recognize and combat infectious agents. By introducing antigens—substances that the immune system identifies as foreign—vaccines stimulate an adaptive immune response that leads to immunological memory. This immunological memory enables the body to mount a faster and more effective response upon future exposures to the actual pathogen.Vaccines can be categorized based on the type of...
00:42Cross-reactivity
Overview