title: Immunological and clinical evaluation during a 12 month period of immunotherapy.
abstract: Serum IgE and IgG4 were evaluated in twenty adult allergic rhinitis subjects during a 12-month immunotherapy (IT) course against common inhalant allergens. The selection criteria for IT were the result of a prolonged history of allergic diseases and a positive skin test for common inhalant allergens. Twenty non-atopic adults served as the control group. By using enzyme-linked immunoassay a normal range of IgE and IgG4 were 78 +/- 40 IU/ml and 180 +/- 54 micrograms/ml, respectively. The changes in IgE and IgG4 levels were compared with significant improvements of symptoms and drug consumption. The clinical and laboratory responses to IT were considered good in 8 cases (40%), moderate in 7 cases (35%), and poor in the remaining 5 cases (25%). A regression analysis revealed a negative simple linear correlation between elevated level of IgG4 and diminished level of clinical symptom scores during 12 months of IT (Pearson's r = -0.7548). The serum IgG4 level after one year IT predicted change in clinical symptom scores.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Pramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pumhirun
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tuchinda
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nondavanich
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jarujinda
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Poommark
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood*; D007167:Immunotherapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007073:Immunoglobulin E