Immunologic changes after house dust mite modified rush subcutaneous immunotherapy in allergic rhinitis children

House dust mites (HDM) are the major causative allergen for allergic rhinitis. The sole disease-modifying therapy for allergic rhinitis is allergen immunotherapy (AIT). Rush immunotherapy is the accelerated build-up schedules to reach the target maintenance dose.

To evaluate the kinetic changes of peripheral blood CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) and serum cytokines in children undergoing 2-day modified rush HDM AIT.

Children aged 5-15 years with allergic rhinitis were enrolled for a 2-day modified rush HDM AIT. Peripheral blood CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Treg, serum interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13, interferon-γ, and IL-10 were measured at baseline, finishing rush, achieving maintenance dose, 6 months, and 12 months after reaching maintenance dose. Specific IgE (sIgE) to HDM was evaluated at baseline and 12 months after getting the maintenance dose. Rhinitis symptoms were assessed daily using a daily card.

A total of 12 children with a mean age of 13 years were enrolled. Rhinitis symptom-free days per month increased significantly after reaching the maintenance dose compared to baseline (from 9.5 days to 19.5 days, p = 0.002), and the maximum improvement was seen at 1 year. The levels of Treg were significantly increased at 6 months after maintenance dose compared to baseline level (6.27%±1.63% vs. 3.83%±1.80%, p < 0.001). After treatment, there were significantly decreased serum IL-13 at 1 year after maintenance but no significant changes in sIgE to HDM. The systemic reaction during AIT occurred 7 episodes from 119 shots (5.9%).

Two-day modified rush HDM AIT provides acceptable systemic reactions and increases the number of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Treg in children.