Sublingual immunotherapy for pediatric allergic rhinitis: The clinical evidence

Allergic rhinitis is estimated to affect 10%-20% of pediatric population and it is caused by the IgE-sensitization to environmental allergens, most importantly grass pollens and house dust mites. Allergic rhinitis can influence patient’s daily activity severely and may precede the development of asthma, especially if it is not diagnosed and treated correctly. In addition to subcutaneous immunotherapy, sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) represents the only treatment being potentially able to cure allergic respiratory diseases, by modulating the immune system activity. This review clearly summarizes and analyzes the available randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trials, which aimed at evaluating the effectiveness and the safety of grass pollen and house dust mite SLIT for the specific treatment of pediatric allergic rhinitis. Our analysis demonstrates the good evidence supporting the efficacy of SLIT for allergic rhinitis to grass pollens in children, whereas trials regarding pediatric allergic rhinitis to house dust mites present lower quality, although several studies supported its usefulness.     

Hypersaline nasal irrigation in children with symptomatic seasonal allergic rhinitis: A randomized study

Recent evidence suggests that nasal irrigation with hypertonic saline may be useful as an adjunctive treatment modality in the management of many sinonasal diseases. However, no previous studies have investigated the efficacy of this regimen in the prevention of seasonal allergic rhinitis-related symptoms in the pediatric patient. Twenty children with seasonal allergic rhinitis to Parietaria were enrolled in the study. Ten children were randomized to receive three-times daily nasal irrigation with hypertonic saline for the entire pollen season, which had lasted 6 weeks. Ten patients were allocated to receive no nasal irrigation and were used as controls. A mean daily rhinitis score based on the presence of nasal itching, rhinorrea, nasal obstruction and sneezing was calculated for each week of the pollen season. Moreover, patients were allowed to use oral antihistamines when required and the mean number of drug assumption per week was also calculated. In patients allocated to nasal irrigation, the mean daily rhinitis score was reduced during 5 weeks of the study period. This reduction was statistically significantly different in the 3th, 4th and 5th week of therapy. Moreover, a decreased consumption of oral antihistamines was observed in these patients. This effect became evident after the second week of treatment and resulted in statistically significant differences during the 3th, 4th and 6th week. This study supports the use of nasal irrigation with hypertonic saline in the pediatric patient with seasonal allergic rhinitis during the pollen season. This treatment was tolerable, inexpensive and effective.     

标准化屋尘螨变应原特异性免疫治疗对儿童变应性鼻炎合并哮喘的临床疗效

目的 评估标准化屋尘螨变应原特异性免疫治疗(specific immunotherapy,SIT)对儿童变应性鼻炎合并哮喘的临床疗效.方法 选择我院42例接受标准化屋尘螨SIT的变应性鼻炎合并哮喘儿童为研究对象.所有患儿治疗前、治疗1年后均进行变应原皮肤点刺试验、测定血清屋尘螨和粉尘螨特异性IgE水平、进行肺功能测定和自觉症状评分.结果 治疗1年后屋尘螨和粉尘螨的皮肤指数和自觉症状评分均较治疗前显著降低(P＜0.01,P＜0.05),而治疗前后屋尘螨和粉尘螨特异性IgE水平、肺功能(肺活量、第1秒用力呼气量、最大呼气中段流量)均无明显变化(P＞0.05).结论 变应性鼻炎合并哮喘儿童给予SIT1年后其皮肤敏感性显著改善,临床症状明显好转,但对气道炎症的影响有待于进一步的观察.     

Influence of month of birth on house dust mite allergy

We determined the birth month of a sample of 208 patients with bronchial asthma or rhinitis and positive skin test to house dust mite. The majority of patients were born in the summer and autumn months. The increased incidence of house dust mite allergy in patients born in the months of July to September, when house dust mites are most abundant, corresponds to a relative risk of 1.43. It is important that exposure to house dust mites in early childhood is kept to a minimum as exposure to allergens may influence the development of allergic disease in later life.     

Atopy patch testing in children with asthma and rhinitis symptoms allergic to house dust mite

The atopy patch test (APT) is generally used to assess immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated sensitization to allergens in patients with atopic dermatitis, but its diagnostic role in children with respiratory allergy is still controversial. The aim of the study was to evaluate APT with house dust mite (HDM) in children with asthma and rhinitis symptoms allergic to HDM and its relevance to skin prick test (SPT) diameters and specific IgE levels. The study population consisted of 33 children, aged 8-16 yr (median: 12 yr) with asthma and 30 children with allergic rhinitis in the same age range (median: 11 yr). All patients had positive SPT results and high serum specific IgE levels for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus APT was performed on back skin of all patients with 200 index of reactivity (IR)/ml of D. pteronyssinus allergen extracts in petrolatum (Stallerpatch) and evaluated at 72 h. Of 63 patients, 16 (25%) showed a positive patch test result. APT with HDM showed 30% (10/33) positivity among the patients with asthma and 20% (6/30) positivity among the patients with allergic rhinitis. APT presented no significant correlation with age, SPT diameter, serum total and specific IgE levels for D. pteronyssinus, nasal provocation test or pulmonary function test results. Patch testing with HDM may partly identify mite sensitive children with respiratory allergy. Positive APT results may imply that delayed hypersensitivity reactions play a role in children with asthma and rhinitis allergic to HDM.     

Bet v 1-specific IgA increases during the pollen season but not after a single allergen challenge in children with birch pollen-induced intermittent allergic rhinitis

Allergen-specific immunoglobulins of the Immunoglobulin A (IgA) type have been found in the nasal fluid of patients with allergic rhinitis. IgA may play a protective role, but there are also data which show that allergen-specific IgA can induce eosinophil degranulation. The aim of this study was to quantitate Bet v 1-specific IgA in relation to total IgA in the nasal fluid of children with birch pollen-induced intermittent allergic rhinitis and healthy controls, after allergen challenge and during the natural pollen season. Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), Bet v 1-specific IgA and total IgA were analyzed in nasal fluids from 30 children with birch pollen-induced intermittent allergic rhinitis and 30 healthy controls. Samples were taken before the pollen season, after challenge with birch pollen and during the pollen season, before and after treatment with nasal steroids. During the pollen season, but not after nasal allergen challenge, Bet v 1-specific IgA increased in relation to total IgA in children with allergic rhinitis. No change was found in the healthy controls. The ratio of Bet v 1-specific IgA to total IgA increased from 0.1 x 10(-3) (median) to 0.5 x 10(-3) in the allergic children, p < 0.001. No change was seen after treatment with nasal steroids, although symptoms, ECP and eosinophils were reduced. In conclusion, allergen-specific IgA in relation to total IgA increases in nasal fluids during the pollen season in allergic children but not in healthy controls. These findings are compatible with the hypothesis that allergen-specific IgA plays a role in the allergic inflammation and further studies are needed to clarify the functional role of these allergen-specific antibodies.     

Abnormal spirometry in children with persistent allergic rhinitis due to mite sensitization: the benefit of nasal corticosteroids.

Inflammatory processes affecting nasal and bronchial mucosa are similar in nature. The purpose of this study was to examine whether children with perennial allergic rhinitis, without underlying asthma, have impaired pulmonary function. We also investigated whether nasal corticosteroids and loratidine would improve the pulmonary function tests of those children with impaired lung function. Fifty subjects with moderate/severe persistent allergic rhinitis due to exclusively dust mite sensitization and no past medical history suggestive of asthma were assessed. The control group consisted of 26 matched healthy subjects. Subjects with airway obstruction, as detected by forced expiratory volume/1 s (FEV1) or forced expiratory flow from 25/% to 75% (FEF(25-75)) values <80% of those predicted, were treated with loratidine, once a day for 10 days, and daily nasal budesonide for 3 months. We found that 11 of 50 patients (22%) with perennial allergic rhinitis had impaired pulmonary function (FEF(25-75) values <80%), compared to 1/26 (3.8%) of the control group (p < or = 0.05). Reversibility was observed in 9/11 (81.8%), mean 24.7% +/- 10.3%. Within 3 months of treatment, 7/10 had FEF(25-75) > 80% of their predicted values as well as significant improvements in their FEV1 (p = 0.04), and FEV1/FVC (p = 0.04). We conclude that a substantial proportion of children with perennial allergic rhinitis have diminished FEF (25-75) values and reversible airway obstruction. Nasal corticosteroids improve the pulmonary function tests of these children with impaired lung function.     

High prevalence and young onset of allergic rhinitis in children with bronchial asthma

Bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis often co-exist, and rhinitis is a major risk factor for the development of asthma. However, the reported incidence of allergic rhinitis in asthmatic children varies widely. The aim of this study was to elucidate the incidence of allergic rhinitis, the onset age of chronic upper and lower airway symptoms, and the correlation of these two symptoms in asthmatic children. A cohort of 130 consecutive children (ages 2–10) with asthma was evaluated. A questionnaire regarding upper and lower airway symptoms was filled out by the parents. Objective diagnosis of allergic rhinitis was also made on the basis of rhinoscopy, nasal cytology, nasal challenge, and specific serum IgE (CAP-RAST). Persistent nasal symptoms were present in 83.8% of the asthmatic children. The incidence of allergic rhinitis was 77.7% based on the objective findings. The mean onset age of asthma was 2.8 yr, and that of rhinitis was 2.9 yr. Nasal symptoms started as early as the first year of life in 8.9% of the children. In children with comorbid asthma and allergic rhinitis, rhinitis preceded in 33.7%, asthma preceded in 31.7%, and both started in the same year in 26.7%. In 7.9%, rhinitis was asymptomatic. Concomitant exacerbation of the upper and lower airways occurred in 34.6% of the total 130 children. These results demonstrate that allergic rhinitis manifested early in life in the majority of the asthmatic children. Persistent nasal symptoms in infancy may point to subsequent development of asthma and possible early intervention.     

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目的 探讨特异性免疫治疗变应性哮喘合并鼻炎的效果,分析特异性免疫治疗期间病情反复的原因。方法 将上海交通大学医学院附属新华医院2006年1月至2010年12月期间收治的102例变应性哮喘合并鼻炎的患儿,分为治疗组和对照组,治疗组78例在哮喘规范化防治基础上联合粉尘螨注射液特异性免疫治疗,而对照组24例以吸入激素等规范化防治为主。评价两组患儿治疗6个月、1年、2年及治疗结束后随访1年哮喘最大呼气流量(PEF)、汉化版儿童哮喘控制测试量表(Ch-CACT)结果和变应性鼻炎的临床症状评分及视觉模拟评分(VAS),比较两组患儿治疗第2年及治疗结束后随访1年哮喘急性发作次数和呼吸道感染情况,并分析特异性免疫治疗期间病情反复的原因。结果 治疗第2年及治疗结束后随访1年哮喘急性发作次数和呼吸道感染次数均较对照组减少,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.01)。治疗组治疗2年及治疗结束后随访1年哮喘PEF测定结果优于对照组,治疗结束后随访1年Ch-CACT较对照组高,差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗6个月、1年、2年及治疗结束后随访1年治疗组变应性鼻炎的临床症状评分和VAS评分优于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。特异性免疫治疗期间导致病情反复的常见原因为气候因素、呼吸道感染、合并副鼻窦炎及不适当的居室清扫等。结论 特异性免疫治疗能改善哮喘患儿的PEF及Ch-CACT评分,能明显改善变应性鼻炎的临床症状及VAS评分,是一种防治变应性哮喘合并鼻炎持久有效的方法。气候因素、呼吸道感染及合并副鼻窦炎是导致特异性免疫治疗期间病情反复的主要原因。     

复旦大学附属儿科医院2413例过敏性鼻炎患儿过敏原筛查结果分析

目的　了解过敏性鼻炎（allergic rhinitis,AR）患儿的过敏原,为儿童AR的预防和治疗提供依据。方法　采用免疫印迹法对2013年1月至2018年7月就诊于复旦大学附属儿科医院耳鼻咽喉头颈外科的2413例AR患儿进行过敏原检测并进行分析。结果　吸入性过敏原前4位分别为户尘螨（49.52%）、混合霉菌（23.62%）、狗毛（17.99%）、屋尘（15.54%）。食入性过敏原前4位分别为牛奶（46.54%）、鸡蛋（22.92%）、腰果（19.10%）、螃蟹（9.45%）。部分AR患儿（46.33%）同时存在吸入性及食入性过敏。男女患儿过敏原阳性率比较差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。随着年龄增长,儿童的吸入性过敏原阳性率逐渐增加,食入性过敏原阳性率逐渐降低。结论　儿童吸入性过敏原以尘螨及混合霉菌为主,食入性过敏原以牛奶及鸡蛋为主,过敏原检测有助于了解患儿的过敏状态。     

Do the leukotriene receptor antagonists work in children with grass pollen‐induced allergic rhinitis?

Although cysteinyl-leukotriene receptor antagonists were recently approved for use in allergic rhinitis (AR), there has been no study to date investigating their application in children. The aim was to evaluate whether montelukast provides any benefit in nasal allergen challenge-induced symptoms in children, and whether it could improve the control provided by an antihistamine during pollen season. Two randomized studies, one a double-blind, placebo-controlled, nasal allergen challenge study and one an open-label, cross-over, parallel-group clinical study, were performed in 18 (11.7+/-0.7 years) and 32 children (10.5+/-0.5 years), respectively, with grass pollen allergy. In the first study, the effect of a single dose of montelukast and its combination with loratadine were compared with placebo on nasal responses induced by allergen challenge. In the second study, the additive effect of montelukast to loratadine was tested in an open-label cross-over clinical study. In the challenge study, early-phase and late-phase nasal reactions peaked at 15 min and 4 h after the challenge respectively. During the early phase, combination improved total nasal symptoms (p=0.004) during the first hour and sneezing (p=0.012) at 15 min compared with placebo group. During the late phase, montelukast (p=0.017) and combination (p=0.011) caused less nasal obstruction at 4 h and combination caused less sneezing at 6 h (p=0.015). In the clinical trial, montelukast provided protection on seasonal increase in pulmonary symptoms [0 (0, 14) vs. 6.5 (0, 27.7); p=0.016] and on the decrease in FEF25-75 [-0.09 (-0.34, 0.17) vs. -0.28 (-0.66, 0.02); p=0.002]. However, there was no improvement in nasal symptoms and flows. Although we showed protection against nasal challenge-induced congestion with montelukast, we were not able to show the same in the clinical study possibly because of low pollen counts and mildness of the symptoms of the patients with AR. However, montelukast provided better control of pulmonary symptoms and protection from seasonal decrease in lung function, indicating its potential therapeutic benefit in children with AR.     

Efficacy of pollen immunotherapy in seasonal allergic rhinitis

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of subcutaneous pollen immunotherapy has been documented in published double-blind, placebo-controlled studies related to treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. In the present study, subjective (symptom scores) and objective (nasal peak inspiratory flow, nasal smear, nasal biopsy) parameters were used to study the efficacy of pollen immunotherapy. METHODS: Forty-eight patients (32 male), mean +/- SE age 13.6 +/- 2.8 years allergic to grass-pollen participated in the present study. Patients were divided into three groups: group I, 24 patients who did not receive pollen immunotherapy; group II, 12 patients who received the build-up phase of pollen immunotherapy; and group III, 12 patients who had just finished pollen immunotherapy. With regard to objective and subjective parameters these three groups were compared. RESULTS: When group I was compared to groups II and III, the patients who had not received any immunotherapy were found to have a high daytime nasal symptoms score (P < 0.01), high daytime eye symptoms score(P < 0.01) and high night-time symptoms score (P < 0.01). In objective parameters, it was found that group I had low nasal peak inspiratory flow (P < 0.05), and a high eosinophil count in nasal smears (P < 0.05) and peripheral blood (P < 0.05). It was also demonstrated that there was an increased eosinophil infiltration (P < 0.01) and mast cell infiltration (P < 0.05) in nasal biopsy in group I. There was no significant difference between group II and group III according to these results (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Immunotherapy leads to a better clinical and histopathological prognosis in children with seasonal allergic rhinitis.     

Steroid-sensitive indices of airway inflammation in children with seasonal allergic rhinitis

Previous studies involving adults have demonstrated that airway glucocorticosteroids inhibit plasma exudation and eosinophil activity in allergic rhinitis. This study explores the possibility that plasma exudation, exudative responsiveness, and the occurrence of eosinophil activity-related proteins are glucocorticosteroid-sensitive nasal mucosal indices in allergic children. Using a placebo-controlled, parallel-group design effects of nasal budesonide (64 µg per nasal cavity b.i.d) were determined in children with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Nasal lavage fluid levels of eotaxin, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and α₂-macroglobulin, indicating plasma exudation, were determined, the latter with and without challenge with topical histamine. Nasal lavage fluid levels of α₂-macroglobulin and ECP increased significantly during the pollen season, and the acute plasma exudation response to histamine was significantly greater during than outside the season. There was a trend towards a seasonal increase in nasal lavage fluid levels of eotaxin. Budesonide significantly inhibited the seasonal increase in α₂-macroglobulin as well as the exudative hyperresponsiveness to histamine. Any tendency of increases in mucosal output of eotaxin and ECP was abolished by the glucocorticosteroid treatment. We conclude that mucosal exudation of plasma, as a global sign of active inflammatory processes, is a glucocorticosteroid-sensitive facet of allergic rhinitis in children. Exudative hyperresponsiveness, potentially caused by several weeks of mucosal inflammation, emerges as a significant feature of allergic rhinitis in children, and its development is prevented by local treatment with a glucocorticosteroid drug. The seasonal increase in ECP and the trend for an increase in eotaxin were absent in the glucocorticosteroid-treated subjects.     

抗组胺H1受体药在儿童过敏性鼻炎的临床应用

儿童过敏性鼻炎（allergic rhinitis， AR）的发病率逐年增高，抗组胺H1受体药可通过阻断组胺与H1受体的结合而起到控制变态反应性疾病的作用。第二代抗组胺H1受体药与H1受体的结合更稳定，有更好的特异性，几乎不通过血脑屏障，中枢抑制作用低，毒蕈碱样副反应少，作用时间长，且能有效地改善鼻部和眼部的症状，是治疗儿童AR的一线药物。目前尚缺乏客观的检测手段来评估抗组胺药物的有效性和安全性，所以儿童用药剂量应按体重调整，选择合适的剂型，并注意年龄限制，剂量品种应尽量个体化并应用合理的疗程。     

Three-year follow-up of clinical and inflammation parameters in children monosensitized to mites undergoing sub-lingual immunotherapy

Parallel follow-up of clinical and inflammatory markers during sub-lingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is highly beneficial. Twenty-four children (age 4-16) monosensitized to house dust mite were randomized to receive either active or placebo SLIT for 1 yr in a double-blind placebo controlled design (Marcucci et al., Allergy 2003: 58: 657-62). Thereafter, for 2 yr they all received active treatment. Symptom scores for rhinitis, asthma, and drug usage were daily recorded. Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and tryptase in sputum and nasal secretions, serum and nasal mite-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) were recorded before treatment and at 10-12 months intervals. Nasal ECP and nasal tryptase after specific nasal provocation tests were significantly reduced as compared to baseline values (p = 0.0043 and 0.0195, respectively) in the third year of active treatment. None of the other inflammatory parameters was increased. In placebo treated patients all these parameters tended to decrease only after switching to active treatment. Clinical scores did not improve in treated vs. placebo patients in the double-blind placebo-controlled phase of the study. In both cohorts a clinical benefit was observed as intra-group score reduction as compared to baseline. A significant difference was reached in patients treated for 2 yr for rhinitis and asthma (p = 0.0009 and 0.0019, respectively) but not for drug usage and in patients treated for 3 yr for rhinitis, asthma, and drug usage (p = 0.0105, 0.0048, and 0.02, respectively). SLIT in children monosensitized to mites reverted the spontaneous increase in nasal IgE and in local parameters of allergic inflammation. These outcomes were followed by a consolidated clinical improvement in the second and third year of treatment.     

标准化尘螨特异性皮下免疫治疗尘螨过敏性哮喘伴变应性鼻炎患儿的长期随访研究

目的：探讨标准化尘螨特异性皮下免疫治疗(SCIT)对尘螨过敏性哮喘伴变应性鼻炎患儿远期疗效的影响。 方法：本文为干预效果的长期随访的病例系列报告。对尘螨过敏性哮喘伴变应性鼻炎患儿,开始接受标准化SCIT治疗（T0）至疗程≥30个月治疗结束（T1）,在T0、T1、T2（T1后的3年）和T3（T1后的6年）,均在哮喘专科门诊或通过电话随访,分别以哮喘症状评分（ASS）、鼻炎症状评分（RSS）、鼻炎与哮喘症状总评分（TSS）、药物评分（TMS）、症状药物总评分（SMS）、视觉模拟量表(VAS)评价和病情改善自我评价量表进行病情估计,ASS、RSS、TSS、TMS评估时点为晚近4周内情况、VAS和病情改善自我评价为患儿或其家长自我感受评估时点为晚近1个月的情况。 结果：2006年4月至2011年6月在哮喘专科门诊诊断为尘螨过敏性哮喘伴变应性鼻炎患儿、且接受了标准化SCIT治疗≥30个月,T1时点56例,男41例,女15例,平均年龄7.1（5~12）岁。均回顾性收集到T0时点病情评估指标ASS、RSS、TSS和VAS,并计算TSS和SMS。随访至T2时点有51例（男38例）和T3时点有45例（男33例）采集到了本文全部病情评估指标。T1时点不同病情评估指标较T0时点差异均有统计学意义。反映病情评估的2个组合指标（TSS和SMS）前后相临时点差异均有统计学意义。病情改善自我评价量表中,变应性鼻炎与哮喘T1时点（18.5% vs 75.0%）、T2时点（31.2% vs 84.0%）、T3时点（39.5% vs 80.0%）比较差异均有统计学意义,病情改善自我评价量表病情评估变应性鼻炎明显差于哮喘。T3时点女生的RSS、TSS、SMS明显低于男生,差异有统计学意义。 结论：标准化SCIT治疗能使尘螨过敏哮喘伴变应性鼻炎患儿的哮喘、鼻炎症状明显减轻,用药减少,VAS评分降低,在停止治疗后的6年仍能维持长期疗效。女性患儿比男性患儿在鼻炎哮喘症状以及症状用药评分方面疗效更加显著。     

Bronchial asthma after early childhood wheezing: a follow-up until 4.5–6 years of age

Over a period of 12 months from 1981 to 1982, 83 patients aged less than 2 years were treated in hospital for acute bronchiolitis. The children were followed-up prospectively; 68 (83%) completed the study until 4.5–6.0 years of age. At this age, 17 (25%) of the 68 children with bronchiolitis still suffered from wheezing attacks. These 17 asthmatics suffered from both atopic dermatitis (29 versus 6%) and allergic rhinitis (29 versus 8%) more frequently than non-asthmatic children. In contrast, positive results in the skin prick tests were almost equally common (29 and 20%) in asthmatic and non-asthmatic children. In these tests, allergies to birch pollen, timothy grass pollen and house dust mite were most common; asthma was particularly associated with house dust mite allergy. The presence of atopic dermatitis, elevated immunoglobulin E values and repeated wheezing episodes between I and 2 years of age were significant risk factors for later asthma. In conclusion, the risk for later asthma is increased after early childhood bronchiolitis; the frequency of asthma was 25% in the present study. Our results confirm that atopics are at a greater risk of developing asthma later in childhood than non-atopics; the risk was significant from 1 year of age onwards.     

变态反应性疾病患儿血清特异性IgE检测的临床意义

目的　探讨血清特异性IgE(sIgE)与儿童变态反应病发病的关系 ,为临床防治提供依据。 方法　采用法玛西亚公司的免疫CAP诊断系统 ,以荧光酶联免疫法测定sIgE。 结果　 71例患儿中可查到 5 4例 4 8种变应原阳性的sIgE ,有些患儿对多种变应原呈阳性反应。支气管哮喘患儿阳性检出率为 74 % (37∶5 0 ) ;变应性鼻炎患儿阳性检出率为 6 4 % (7∶11) ;特应性皮炎及湿疹患儿阳性检出率为 80 % (8∶10 )。主要阳性变应原为户尘螨、屋尘、蒿草、烟曲霉等吸入性变应原和鸡蛋白、牛奶、花生、黄豆等食物性变应原。年幼儿组 (3～ 6岁 )以食物性变应原为主 ;年长儿组 (7～ 15岁 )以吸入性变应原为主。对上述 8种变应原的sIgE两组之间定量比较 ,经秩和检验发现吸入性变应原蒿草的sIgE在组间有明显差异 ,年长儿组高于年幼儿组 (P <0 0 5 ) ;食物性变应原牛奶的sIgE在组间有明显差异 ,年幼儿组高于年长儿组 (P <0 0 5 )。结论　上述 8种变应原是引起太原地区儿童变态反应病的主要变应原 ,随年龄增长血清中吸入性变应原的sIgE的阳性率增多 ,食物性变应原的sIgE的阳性率减少 ;sIgE对外源性变态反应病阳性检出率高。     

EAACI guidelines on allergen immunotherapy: Prevention of allergy

Allergic diseases are common and frequently coexist. Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is a disease‐modifying treatment for IgE‐mediated allergic disease with effects beyond cessation of AIT that may include important preventive effects. The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) has developed a clinical practice guideline to provide evidence‐based recommendations for AIT for the prevention of (i) development of allergic comorbidities in those with established allergic diseases, (ii) development of first allergic condition, and (iii) allergic sensitization. This guideline has been developed using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation (AGREE II) framework, which involved a multidisciplinary expert working group, a systematic review of the underpinning evidence, and external peer‐review of draft recommendations. Our key recommendation is that a 3‐year course of subcutaneous or sublingual AIT can be recommended for children and adolescents with moderate‐to‐severe allergic rhinitis (AR) triggered by grass/birch pollen allergy to prevent asthma for up to 2 years post‐AIT in addition to its sustained effect on AR symptoms and medication. Some trial data even suggest a preventive effect on asthma symptoms and medication more than 2 years post‐AIT. We need more evidence concerning AIT for prevention in individuals with AR triggered by house dust mites or other allergens and for the prevention of allergic sensitization, the first allergic disease, or for the prevention of allergic comorbidities in those with other allergic conditions. Evidence for the preventive potential of AIT as disease‐modifying treatment exists but there is an urgent need for more high‐quality clinical trials.     

The effects of grass pollen allergoid immunotherapy on clinical and immunological parameters in children with allergic rhinitis

Allergoid immunotherapy is a new form of allergen immunotherapy allowing safe administration of high allergen doses. There is limited information on the effects of allergoid immunotherapy in children with allergic rhinitis. To investigate the immunological and clinical effects of allergoid immunotherapy in children with allergic rhinitis due to grass pollen allergy. Children with allergic rhinitis were assigned to allergoid immunotherapy (n = 27) or control (n = 26, no immunotherapy) groups. Children in the immunotherapy group received seven injections of grass pollen allergoid immunotherapy before grass pollen season and continued to receive maintenance immunotherapy for 27 months. All patients were offered a pharmacotherapy regimen to be used on demand during the pollen seasons. Clinical and laboratory parameters were compared between the immunotherapy and control groups. The rhinoconjunctivitis symptom-medication score and asthma symptom score were lower in the immunotherapy group after 1 yr of maintenance immunotherapy (p < 0.01 for both). Skin test reactivity and nasal reactivity as determined by nasal provocation testing for grass pollen were significantly decreased after 1 yr of immunotherapy (p < 0.001 for both). The seasonal increase in bronchial reactivity and nasal lavage eosinophil cationic protein levels were prevented after the first year of immunotherapy (p < 0.05 for both). The seasonal increase in immunoglobulin (Ig)E decreased (p < 0.05) and grass-specific IgG, IgG(1) and IgG(4) increased significantly already at the end of the seven-injection build-up therapy (p < 0.001, for all). Interleukin (IL)-4 levels in the culture supernatants showed a steady decline from baseline at first and second year of immunotherapy (p < 0.001) but remained unchanged in the control group. Allergoid immunotherapy is an effective method in the treatment of grass pollen-induced allergic rhinitis in children and prevents the seasonal increase in bronchial hyper-reactivity. Changes in specific IgE and IgG levels and decreased IL-4 production in peripheral blood mononuclear cell culture supernatants may account for the observed clinical effects.