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[Blocking antibodies during specific hyposensitization immunotherapy in respiratory allergies in children]
S Mancini1, M Greco, R Wietrzykowska
1Istituto di Ricerca Scientifica, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Roma.
Insights
Subcutaneous immunotherapy (ITS) significantly increased allergen-specific blocking antibodies (IgG1 + IgG4) in children with allergic diseases. This rise correlated with improved clinical symptoms, suggesting ITS efficacy in managing allergic conditions.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Background:
- Children with allergic conditions like asthma and rhinitis often show limited response to conventional therapies.
- Subcutaneous immunotherapy (ITS) is a treatment option for allergic diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the development of blocking antibodies following subcutaneous immunotherapy (ITS).
- To determine the correlation between increased blocking antibody levels and clinical improvement in allergic children.
Main Methods:
- 35 children with allergic conditions received subcutaneous immunotherapy (ITS) for various allergens.
- Blocking antibodies (IgG1 + IgG4) were measured using a RAST system at baseline and after 3, 9, and 12 months.
- A control group of 25 nonatopic children was included.
Main Results:
- A significant increase in allergen-specific IgG1 + IgG4 blocking antibodies was observed after 9 months of ITS, particularly for pollen allergies.
- Similar increases were noted for Dermatophagoides allergens after 12 months of ITS.
- The study aimed to correlate these antibody increases with clinical symptom improvement.
Conclusions:
- Subcutaneous immunotherapy (ITS) effectively induces allergen-specific blocking antibodies (IgG1 + IgG4) in children with allergic diseases.
- The rise in blocking antibodies following ITS shows a potential correlation with clinical symptom improvement.
Abstract:
A group of 35 children affected by bronchial asthma, rhinitis and/or allergic conjunctivitis was examined; the children selected for the study had never undergone ITS before; all patients had received preventive drug and nondrug therapy for several months but none had succeeded in significantly reducing allergic clinical symptoms. Subcutaneous ITS Lofarma was prescribed for all patients (for various allergens) and blocking antibodies (IgG1 + IgG4) were assayed using a RAST system (Kit-Pharmacia) before the start of the study, and after 3, 9 and 12 months of therapy; 25 nonatopic children represented the control group. Although a certain number of allergen-specific blocking antibodies were present in all patients before the start of ITS, a significant increase in IgG1 + IgG4 specific allergens was observed after 9 months (especially for pollenosis). Compatible results were also obtained for blocking antibodies for children affected by dermatophagoides following 12 months of ITS. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the extent of the appearance of blocking antibodies in the circulation following ITS and to discover whether or not there was a correlation between their increased titre and improvement of the disease assessed by the use of clinical scores.