[Practice patterns in Mexican allergologists about specific immunotherapy with allergens].
BACKGROUND
Immunotherapy has been practiced since over a hundred years. Since the first applications up today changes have occurred in the preparation, dose and duration of the treatment, as well as in the extracts used. Guidelines have been published in Mexico and other countries to try to unify these practice patterns of immunotherapy.


METHODS
By means of a questionnaire, sent in various occasions to all members of the Colegio Mexicano de Inmunología Clínica y Alergia (CMICA) and of the Colegio Mexicano de Pediatras, Especialistas en Inmunología y Alergia (CoMPedIA) we tried to get a picture of the daily practice patterns of immunotherapy in the allergist's office. Results will be presented in a descriptive manner.


RESULTS
A response rate of 61 (17%) was obtained from the College members. For immunotherapy allergists use locally made and imported extracts, generally mixed in their office (20% over 10 allergens in one bottle). Eighty percent adds bacterial vaccine at some point and 60% uses sublingual immunotherapy. Most use Evans without albumin as diluent, don't routinely premedicate, reach maintenance treatment after more than six months and 46% recommends a maximum duration of immunotherapy of two years or less.


CONCLUSIONS
We present a diagnosis on the current situation of practice patterns concerning allergen immunotherapy among the members of both Mexican colleges of allergists. The methods used by the allergists for indication, preparation and administration are quite diverse.
Larenas Linnemann
Désirée
D
Servicio de alergia, Hospital Médica Sur, México, DF. marlar1@prodigy.net.mx
Guidos Fogelbach
Guillermo Arturo
GA
Arias Cruz
Alfredo
A
D000286:Administration, Sublingual; D000485:Allergens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000486:Allergy and Immunology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003429:Cross Reactions; D003625:Data Collection; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008800:Mexico; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011292:Premedication / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012882:Skin Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000485:Allergens; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines