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[Immunotherapy of allergic diseases: present and future]
Schweizerische Medizinische Wochenschrift
|December 31, 1983
Summary
Immunotherapy (IT) effectively treats allergies like allergic rhinitis and asthma, but its exact mechanism remains unclear. Further research into standardized allergen extracts and modified applications is needed for improved allergy management.
Area of Science:
- Allergy and Immunology
- Immunotherapy Research
Context:
- Established efficacy of immunotherapy (IT) for immediate type allergies.
- Diagnostic methods include patient history, skin tests, RAST, and provocation tests.
- Consideration of symptom nature, severity, and duration is crucial for IT indication.
Purpose:
- To review the established efficacy and current understanding of immunotherapy for allergies.
- To discuss the indications, suitable conditions, and limitations of IT.
- To highlight areas for future improvement in immunotherapy.
Summary:
- IT is highly effective for seasonal allergic rhinitis, pollen asthma, and house dust mite allergies.
- Its value for mold and bacterial vaccines is uncertain; it's well-established for preventing anaphylaxis from insect venom stings.
- Improvements in IT depend on better standardization and purification of allergen extracts.
Impact:
- Provides a comprehensive overview of immunotherapy's role in allergy management.
- Identifies key areas for advancing immunotherapy, such as allergen standardization and novel application methods.
- Informs clinicians and researchers on current best practices and future directions in allergy treatment.