[Allergen extracts for immunotherapy in Latin America]

Area of Science:

• Allergy and Immunology
• Clinical Practice Guidelines

Background:

• The Latin American Society of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (SLAAI) reviewed immunotherapy (IT) use in Latin America.
• Key aspects examined include administration, indications, contraindications, health effects, adverse events, and socioeconomic impact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a literature review on the utilization of immunotherapy (IT) within Latin America.
• To compare regional IT practices with those in the United States and Europe.

Main Methods:

• A literature search was performed to identify relevant studies on IT in Latin America.
• The review focused on practical, scientific information and included a comparative analysis with international practices.

Main Results:

• Only 9 out of 21 Latin American countries had original articles meeting selection criteria, totaling 82 articles, primarily from Brazil and Mexico.
• Mite and pollen allergens were the most frequently used extracts in tropical and subtropical regions.

Conclusions:

• Significant challenges exist for the future of IT in Latin America.
• While studies on subcutaneous IT and sublingual IT are increasing, most are retrospective and possess design bias.
• There is a need for more prospective studies employing internationally validated scales for clinical evaluation.