[Cluster immunotherapy of persistent allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Safety aspects of induction therapy with mite depot allergen preparations].
BACKGROUND
Apart from allergen avoidance and pharmacotreatment, specific immunotherapy (SIT) is the most important therapeutic option offered to allergic patients. Clinical efficacy of SIT depends on the specific allergen extract used, the quality and total cumulative amount of allergen applied and the treatment schedule of the therapy. In cluster SIT, 2-3 injections per treatment day are applied resulting in an accelerated achievement of the maintenance dose.


METHODS
In this study 79 mite-sensitized adult allergic patients aged 18 to 59 years (mean 27.4+/-7.2 years) were investigated in terms of side-effects of cluster SIT during induction treatment.


RESULTS
A total of 129 local hypersensitivity reactions (>grade 1) occurred or 10.2% of all injections (69% grade 1, 20% grade 2, 11% grade 3 and no grade 4 reactions). The total number of systemic reactions was 40 or 3.2% of all injections with 92% grade 1 and 8% grade 2 reactions. Grade 3 or 4 reactions did not occur.


CONCLUSIONS
Cluster SIT with depot allergens represents an interesting alternative option to conventional dosage schedules of SIT.
Pfaar
O
O
HNO-Universitätsklinik, Mannheim. oliver.pfaar@hno-wiesbaden.de
Mösges
R
R
Hörmann
K
K
Klimek
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D040001:Dermatophagoides farinae / Q000276:immunology*; D040002:Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus / Q000276:immunology*; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000379:methods*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000209:etiology; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007428:Intradermal Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations