Frequency of sensitization to different pollen groups and results of specific immunotherapy

Of all the diseases produced by the inhalation of allergens, it is perhaps pollinosis in which specific immunotherapy with pollen antigens is most indicated. For this reason, the present work studies the symptoms and the results of skin tests, before and after the completion of a correct and specific course of immunotherapy for three years. We selected 345 patients with a clear history of pollinosis, suffering from rhinitis (90.7%), conjunctivitis (71%), bronchial asthma (51%) and urticaria (4.3%). The most sensitizing pollens were those of grasses, which affected 97.68% of the patients, followed by flowers (70.14%), shrubs (59,13%) and trees (47.82%). Multiple pollen sensitizations were found in 88.2%, but only 27.24% were sensitive to grass pollens alone. After specific polyvalent treatment with aqueous extract a notable improvement was found in the results of the skin tests (73.8%) and in clinical symptoms (87%). On the other hand, we found a deterioration in the skin test results in 5.9% and a worsening of symptoms in 1.5%. These unfavourable results were probably due to the failure to include all sensitizing pollens in the immunotherapy extract. These results suggest to us that the only worthwhile treatment for pollinosis is immunotherapy based on a polyvalent and specific extract individually prepared, whether aqueous or depot type, according to the skin test results.