title: Immunological changes during cockroach immunotherapy.
abstract: Data obtained in a 3-year survey of specific immunotherapy (SIT) with a Periplaneta americana antigen (Pa-1) are presented. Parameters such as serum IgE-paperadioimmunosorbent test, specific IgE and IgG, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4 and IL-4R levels were recorded before and after SIT. While serum IgE levels and IgE-RAST-anti-Pa-1 did not change throughout SIT (p = not significant), IgG-RAST-anti-Pa-1 showed a marked increase from the first year (p < 0.002 to p < 0.001). Only after 3 years of SIT did the serum levels of IL-2, IL-4 and IL-4R show lower values than before this period (p = 0.05, p = 0.05, p = 0.01, respectively). The comparative statistical analysis of the cytokine data between the nonatopic subjects and the atopic treated patients revealed no significant differences (p = 0.02). The symptomatic scores showed significant results at the third year of SIT in sneezing attacks, nose blowing and nasal obstruction (p = 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.001, respectively).
authors.affiliation: Centro de Alergia, Hospital de Clínicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alonso
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Albónico
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mouchián
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Scavini
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Irañeta
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Pionetti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D010526:Periplaneta / Q000276:immunology*; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D012882:Skin Tests; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines