title: [Allergen immunotherapy: Mechanisms of action, and therapeutic and socioeconomic impact Consensus of the Asociación Colombiana de Alergia, Asma e Imunología].
abstract: Allergies comprise a set of highly prevalent diseases. When allergic processes are not controlled, they can endanger patients' health and lives, and have an important economic and social impact. The aim of this paper is to present a practical consensus of the scientific evidence on the use of immunotherapy in allergic diseases. A collaborative review made by various institutes and universities in Colombia was carried out upon request of the Asociación Colombiana de Alergia, Asma e Imunología, led by general practitioners, allergists, immunologists, internists and paediatricians with experience in the field of allergies. As a result, based on current national and international scientific evidence, we describe in detail what immunotherapy is about, its indications, contraindications and its economic and health benefits. Conclusions show immunotherapy as a clinically effective and safe treatment, which can substantially reduce the cost of the overall treatment of allergic patients.
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Alergología Clínica y Experimental, IPS Universitaria, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia Fundación para el Desarrollo de las Ciencias Médicas y Biológicas, Cartagena, Colombia Instituto de Investigaciones Inmunológicas, Universidad de Cartagena, Cartagena, Colombia. jotamsc@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cardona
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Caraballo
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Serrano
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ramírez
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Díez
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: García
authors.forename: Ana María
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Segura
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cepeda
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Minotas
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens; D003105:Colombia; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens
keywords: Allergens; Hymenoptera; anaphylaxis; asthma; conjunctivitis; consensus; dermatitis; immunotherapy; rhinitis