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Allergic Reactions

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Hypersensitivity, also known as a hypersensitivity reaction or allergic reaction, is a condition where the body's immune system reacts abnormally to a foreign substance. Such substances, that cause hypersensitivity are referred to as an allergen, could be something typically harmless to most people, like pollen or certain foods.
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Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 28, 2025

Antigenic Liposomes for Generation of Disease-specific Antibodies

Antigenic Liposomes for Generation of Disease-specific Antibodies

Published on: October 25, 2018

[Allergen immunotherapy for rare allergens].

Guido Mühlmeier¹, Marie-Luise Polk², Matthias Tisch³

¹Klinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Halschirurgie, Bundeswehrkrankenhaus Ulm, Oberer Eselsberg 40, 89081, Ulm, Deutschland. gmhno@t-online.de.

|April 19, 2024

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Rare aeroallergens like molds and animal dander affect 20% of allergy patients. Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) offers effective treatment for these often-overlooked allergies, improving patient outcomes.

Keywords:

Allergic seasonal rhinitis Allergoids Immunologic desensitization Pollen Storage mites

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Symptom Assessment of Patients with Allergic Rhinitis Using an Allergen Exposure Chamber

Symptom Assessment of Patients with Allergic Rhinitis Using an Allergen Exposure Chamber

Published on: March 3, 2023

Area of Science:

Allergology and Immunology
Environmental Health

Background:

Approximately 20% of aeroallergen sensitivities involve rare allergens, including ash, weed pollen, storage mites, molds, and animals.
Despite lower prevalence, allergies to these rare aeroallergens cause significant patient suffering and are often overlooked in clinical practice.
Molds, mites, and animal allergens are frequently implicated in asthma development, highlighting the importance of targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the current knowledge on rare aeroallergens, focusing on their characteristics, prevalence, and efficacy of allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT).
To emphasize the clinical significance of diagnosing and treating allergies to less common aeroallergens.

Main Methods:

A systematic literature search was conducted using MEDLINE (PubMed®) and Google Scholar databases.
The review synthesized data on the prevalence, clinical presentation, and AIT outcomes for various rare aeroallergens.

Main Results:

AIT preparations for rare allergens are typically individual formulations and not standardized.
While evidence levels may be lower than for common allergens due to smaller patient cohorts, practical experience indicates good efficacy.
Patients with allergies to rare aeroallergens, particularly molds, mites, and animals, can benefit from AIT, especially when asthma is present.

Conclusions:

Rare aeroallergens represent a significant clinical challenge, necessitating their recognition and management in daily practice.
Allergen-specific immunotherapy is a valuable therapeutic option for patients suffering from allergies to rare aeroallergens, including those with associated asthma.
Further research may be needed to strengthen the evidence base for AIT with rare allergens, but current clinical experience supports its use.