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Effect of specific immunotherapy in Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergic children
O Köker1, S Guneşer, D Altintas
1Cukurova University, Department of Child Health, Adana, Turkey.
Insights
Immunotherapy significantly improved respiratory symptoms in children sensitive to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dpt). While immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels often decreased, specific IgG levels increased, indicating a complex immune response to Dpt immunotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Allergy and Immunology
- Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
- Immunotherapy Research
Background:
- Extrinsic asthma and allergic rhinitis are common in children.
- Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dpt) is a frequent allergen triggering respiratory symptoms.
- Immunotherapy is a treatment option for allergic diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of immunotherapy in children with Dpt sensitivity.
- To assess changes in subjective and objective respiratory symptoms.
- To analyze immunological markers including IgE and IgG levels.
Main Methods:
- Studied 21 Dpt-sensitive children (asthma/allergic rhinitis).
- Recorded subjective and objective respiratory symptom scores pre- and post-immunotherapy.
- Measured total eosinophil count, total IgE, specific IgE, and specific IgG for Dpt.
Main Results:
- Significant reduction in subjective (P < 0.05) and objective (P < 0.01) respiratory symptoms.
- Decreased total eosinophil count (76.2%), total IgE (81%), and Dpt-specific IgE (90.5%).
- Increased Dpt-specific IgG (76%) observed, suggesting a nuanced immune response.
Conclusions:
- Immunotherapy effectively alleviates respiratory symptoms in Dpt-sensitive children.
- The study highlights that rising IgG and falling IgE do not always correlate in patients benefiting from immunotherapy.
- Findings contribute to understanding the immunological mechanisms of successful Dpt immunotherapy.
Abstract:
The effect of immunotherapy on 21 Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dpt)-sensitive patients (15 children with extrinsic asthma and six children with extrinsic asthma plus allergic rhinitis) aged 8.9 +/- 0.71 years was studied. Their subjective and objective respiratory symptom score was recorded before beginning and after the first year of immunotherapy. The respiratory subjective symptoms, such as cough day/night, running nose, sputum production, sneezing, shortness of breath at night and asthma attacks, decreased significantly from pretreatment level (P < 0.05). The objective symptoms, such as wheezing, dyspnea with prolonged expiration, sibilant rales and retractions score, gradually decreased during treatment (P < 0.01). Total eosinophil count decreased in 76.2% of patients after immunotherapy (P < 0.01). While total immunoglobulin E (IgE) decreased in 81% of patients and specific IgE for Dpt decreased in 90.5% of patients, specific IgG for Dpt increased in 76% of patient (P < 0.001). Our results suggested that rising IgG and falling IgE values do not always coexist in the patients who benefit from immunotherapy.