Natural rubber latex allergy in children: clinical and immunological effects of 3-years sublingual immunotherapy.
BACKGROUND
We previously demonstrated that one year of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with natural rubber latex (NRL) was safe and efficacious in paediatric patients with NRL allergy.


METHODS
We studied 12 NRL-allergic children (age 4-15), previously assigned to the treated arm of a double-blind placebo controlled study, who received a commercial latex SLIT for three years. Adverse reactions were monitored. The primary end-point was the NRL glove-use test. As secondary end-points, skin prick test with NRL and NRL serum specific IgE were used.


METHODS
No SLIT-related side effects were observed. A significant reduction of the glove-use score was observed after one-year treatment (5.1 +/- 4.2 vs. 14.8 +/- 5.7, p=0.0031). This parameter was further reduced in the second year since SLIT start (2.0 +/- 2.7, p=000007). After 3 years of SLIT all patients had a negative glove-use test (p<0.0001). Baseline wheal areas of skin prick test (6.8 +/- 2.5 mm2) were significantly reduced after 2 (5.3 +/- 1.8 mm2) and 3 years (4.0 +/- 1.8 mm2) of SLIT (p=0.039 and 0.027, respectively). Baseline values of serum specific IgE (23 +/- 34 KU/l) were significantly reduced after 3 years since SLIT start (6.4 +/- 5.0, p=0.0371).


CONCLUSIONS
Three years of latex SLIT is safe and consolidates the efficacy previously observed after one year of treatment in paediatric patients.
Bernardini
R
R
Paediatric Allergy and Pneumology Centre, Anna Meyer Children's Hospital, Florence, Italy.
Pecora
S
S
Milani
M
M
Burastero
S E
SE
D000286:Administration, Sublingual; D000293:Adolescent; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D000939:Epitopes; D004890:Erythema; D005260:Female; D005932:Gloves, Surgical; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D011537:Pruritus; D012408:Rubber / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012882:Skin Tests; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000485:Allergens; D000939:Epitopes; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D012408:Rubber