title: [The role of immunotherapy in the prevention of allergic diseases].
abstract: Immunotherapy through repeated administration of allergens and augmentation of doses (hyposensibilization) with the purpose of decreasing the severity of type I allergic reactions or even its complete elimination is known already for a longer period of time. This type of therapy is especially beneficial in allergies to Hymenoptera venom, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, allergic asthma and is implemented in patients with previously proven allergy to appropriate allergens (insects, pollen, house dust mite, pet dander and other). The most common form of therapy is subcutaneous immunotherapy which includes a series of injections containing specific allergens (allergy vaccines) with increasingly larger doses administered subcutaneously during a period of 3-5 years. There are also other forms of immunotherapy (for instance sublingual immunotherapy) although these are less effective. Repetition of the hyposensibilization procedure leads to further reduction in severity of allergy disease in the majority of patients. The efficacy of immunotherapy is also proven by a lower risk of allergic rhinitis patients developing asthma as well as by prevention of new sensibilizations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatovenereology, Sestre milosrdnice University Clinical Center, Zagreb, Croatia. liborija@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Liborija
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lugović-Mihić
authors.forename: Tomislav
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Duvancić
mesh_terms: D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*