Evaluation of immune parameters (including specific IgG4) during immunotherapy

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Allergology
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Allergic asthma and rhinitis are often triggered by house dust mites.
• Immunotherapy aims to desensitize patients to allergens.
• Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus is a common allergen responsible for allergic respiratory diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus immunotherapy.
• To assess changes in immunological markers during hyposensitization.
• To correlate immunological changes with clinical outcomes in allergic patients.

Main Methods:

• 36-month immunotherapy with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extract (Allpyral).
• Regular clinical assessments and monitoring of IgE, specific IgE, histamine release, T cell subpopulations, IgG, and IgG4.
• Comparison of immunological parameters before, during, and after immunotherapy.

Main Results:

• No significant changes in total IgE levels were observed.
• A decrease in specific IgE to house dust mites and reduced histamine release were noted.
• Increased levels of specific IgG4 were observed between 6 and 24 months.
• No statistically significant differences in T lymphocyte subpopulations or specific IgG levels were found.
• No correlation between IgG4 increase and clinical assessment scale was established.

Conclusions:

• Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus immunotherapy may reduce specific IgE and histamine release.
• Specific IgG4 levels increase during immunotherapy, but this does not directly correlate with clinical improvement.
• Further research is needed to understand the clinical relevance of IgG4 changes in house dust mite allergy treatment.