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.     

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.     

Effect of specific immunotherapy in Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergic children

The effect of immunotherapy on 21 Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dpt)-sensitive patients (15 children with extrinsic asthma and six children with extrinsic asthma plus allergic rhinitis) aged 8.9±0.71 years was studied. Their subjective and objective respiratory symptom score was recorded before beginning and after the first year of immunotherapy. The respiratory subjective symptoms, such as cough day/night, running nose, sputum production, sneezing, shortness of breath at night and asthma attacks, decreased significantly from pretreatment level (P < 0.05). The objective symptoms, such as wheezing, dyspnea with prolonged expiration, sibilant rales and retractions score, gradually decreased during treatment (P < 0.01). Total eosinophil count decreased in 76.2% of patients after immunotherapy (P < 0.01). While total immunoglobulin E (IgE) decreased in 81% of patients and specific IgE for Dpt decreased in 90.5% of patients, specific IgG for Dpt increased in 76% of patient (P < 0.001). Our results suggested that rising IgG and falling IgE values do not always coexist in the patients who benefit from immunotherapy.     

Inflammatory mediators, cell counts in nasal lavage and computed tomography of the paranasal sinuses in atopic children

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to evaluate inflammatory cells, the profile of inflammatory mediators in nasal lavage (NL), and the involvement of the paranasal mucosa in atopic infants with no symptoms of sinusitis. METHODS: 48 atopic patients with allergic rhinitis (AR), and 33/48 patients with asthma were studied; the control group consisted of 13 nonatopic children. Those individuals with acute, chronic or recurrent sinusitis were excluded. The involvement of the paranasal mucosa was assessed by coronal computed tomography (CT) and graded by a standard protocol (0-30). A CT score greater than or equal to 12 indicated extensive involvement. Nasal lavage was used to quantify total and differential nasal cell counts. An aliquot of the supernatant was used for determining inflammatory mediators: interleukin-8 (IL-8), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP). Albumin was used as a marker for increased vascular permeability. These measurements were performed on all of the atopic patients and in 6/13 patients in the control group. The three groups were submitted to spirometry and complete blood cell count. RESULTS: Extensive involvement of the paranasal mucosa was observed in 7/33 (21%) of asthmatic patients (Group I) and 2/15 (13%) of those with allergic rhinitis (Group II). The highest CT score in the control group (Group III) was 7. Total cell and eosinophil count/ml and albumin concentration in nasal fluid were higher in asthmatic patients whose CT score was greater than 12. Interleukin-8 concentration, number of neutrophils and epithelial cells/ml in nasal fluid were similar in the three groups. A positive correlation between CT score, peripheral blood eosinophilia, number of eosinophils/ml and eosinophil cationic protein concentration was found in the nasal fluid of atopic children (n=48). There was an association between number of neutrophils and titers of interleukin-8 and myeloperoxidase, and between interleukin-8 and eosinophil count. CONCLUSIONS: in asthmatic patients with no symptoms of sinusitis, the extensive involvement of the paranasal mucosa is associated with blood and nasal lavage eosinophilia and cellular activation. Neutrophil infiltration and activation were not related to increased involvement of the paranasal mucosa.     

Effect of nasal steroid treatment on airway inflammation determined by exhaled nitric oxide in allergic schoolchildren with perennial rhinitis and asthma

Rhinitis is common in asthmatic schoolchildren who are allergic to animal dander and constantly and indirectly exposed to these allergens in their everyday environment. As a patho‐physiological linkage between nasal and bronchial inflammation has been proposed to exist, the primary objective of this study was to determine whether nasal administration of mometasone furoate (MSNF) can reduce bronchial inflammation, as reflected in the level of exhaled nitric oxide (F_ENO) in asthmatic schoolchildren with dander allergy and mild‐to‐moderate rhinitis. Forty such children were assigned randomly to be treated for 4 wk with MSNF or placebo, employing a double‐blind procedure. F_ENO was the primary end‐point measured and secondary end‐points were nasal levels of NO, the concentration of eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) in nasal lavage, the relative numbers of eosinophils in blood, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁), peak expiratory flow (PEF) and scoring of symptoms. There was no significant difference in the F_ENO values of the treated and control groups at any time‐point, whereas the nasal level of ECP was lower in the treated group compared with placebo (p = 0.05) on both days 7 and 28, and compared with baseline for the treated group (p = 0.06 on day 7, p = 0.02 on day 28). Furthermore, the mean blood eosinophil count decreased in the treated group, which also demonstrated lower scores for nasal symptoms compared with placebo, but neither of these differences were statistically significant. FEV₁, PEF and nasal levels of NO remained unchanged in both groups. Four weeks of nasal treatment with MSNF had no effect on bronchial inflammation, as reflected by exhaled NO, whereas signs of nasal and systemic eosinophil activation were reduced. Thus, nasal administration of a steroid as a strategy to reduce asthmatic inflammation remains questionable in mild‐to‐moderately severe cases of perennial rhinitis and asthma.     

舌下含服粉尘螨滴剂治疗儿童过敏性哮喘和变应性鼻炎的临床评价

目的评估舌下特异性免疫治疗药物“粉尘螨滴剂”治疗儿童过敏性哮喘及变应性鼻炎的疗效及安全性。方法采用随机双盲、安慰剂平行对照的研究方法,将278例年龄4—18岁粉尘螨过敏的哮喘和（或）鼻炎患儿随机分为治疗组（139例）和安慰剂组（139例）,分别给予舌下含服“粉尘螨滴剂”或安慰剂,在治疗第2,3,4,6,10,14,18,22周进行随访,治疗第25周结束临床观察。对两组治疗前后的哮喘和鼻炎症状与体征评分、用药计分、肺功能及各项实验室指标、不良事件进行分析比较,并在试验结束前让患儿进行疾病转归的自我评价。结果（1）278例研究对象中,共251例完成试验;（2）治疗组过敏性哮喘患者PEF日内变异率改变量-1．38,而安慰剂组仅为-0．90（P〈0．05）;（3）治疗结束后,过敏性哮喘治疗组应急用药改变量较基线有所下降（x=-0．08）,而安慰剂组用药则有所增加（x=0．52）,两组用药剂量较基线改变量的差异有显著性（W=-2．45,P〈0．05）;（4）治疗组鼻炎患者每日症状积分改变量为-1．96,而安慰剂组为-1．03（W=3．90,P〈0．01）;（5）鼻炎患者安慰剂组应急用药量较基线改变量为0．01,治疗组为-0．25,但两组差异无统计学意义（W=1．40,P〉0．05）;（6）用药25周以后,两组血清特异性IgE（sIgE）水平较用药前无显著改变,而治疗组的血清特异性IgG4平均水平显著增高（P〈0．05）;（7）试验期间未发生严重不良事件,与研究药物可能有关的不良反应主要表现为哮喘轻度发作和局部皮疹。结论“粉尘螨滴剂”是一种安全有效治疗儿童过敏性哮喘和变应性鼻炎的舌下特异性免疫治疗药物。     

Efficacy of specific immunotherapy in children with seasonal allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis,sensitized to grass pollen

The aim of this study was the evaluation of efficacy of the specific immunotherapy using Pollinex for 3 years before the period of pollen dust in children with seasonal allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis induced by grass pollen. The study was carried out in a group of 40 children aged 5-18 years, from the Outpatient Department of Immunology at the National Research Institute of Mother and Child. The children demonstrated clinical symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis with conjunctivitis and had a medical history typical for this disease. Diagnostic procedures including skin prick tests and estimation of specific IgE to grass pollen by Pharmacia - CAP system, gave positive results. The efficacy of therapy was monitored by a clinical score with 4-0 points, recording symptoms relating to intensity of rhinoedema, rhinorrhea, sneezing, itching, oedema, conjunctival congestion, pain and lacrimation. In the study group, 39 children (97%) with seasonal rhinitis and conjunctivitis treated by specific immunotherapy (Pollinex) improved. This was confirmed by a statistically significant difference. The results indicate that the specific immunotherapy is an effective treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis with conjunctivitis in children sensitized to grass pollen.     

Nasal peak inspiratory flow through Turbuhaler® in children with symptomatic rhinitis and in healthy children

Topical treatment of allergic or vasomotor rhinitis is possible by means of pressurized metered dose inhalers, aqueous spray, or dry powder inhalers. In children, little is known about nasal drug delivery by dry powder inhalation. The airflow through the device is critical for the drug release and a sufficient nasal inspiratory flow is needed for intranasal drug delivery from a dry powder inhaler. In order to investigate from what age children with allergic or vasomotor rhinitis can reliably use such a device, device-dependent nasal peak inspiratory flow (DnPIF) was measured. The maximal DnPIF was measured in children aged 4–13 years making use of a dry powder inhaler (Turbuhaler^®) connected to a spirometer (Vitalograph^®). In the clinically relevant context, instructions from the doctor and one week's use of a Turbuhaler at home were found to be sufficient to obtain a good inhalation technique and were shown to improve DnPIF at least as effectively as visual feedback training at the clinic. Children with rhinitis, as well as healthy children from the age of 6 years, were able to generate a DnPIF sufficient to obtain a reliable nasal delivery of a dry powder drug dose. DnPIF values correlated with age. Consequently, a recommendation to use a nasal Turbuhaler from the age of 6 for topical drug delivery in the treatment of allergic or vasomotor rhinitis seems reasonable.     

The comparison of cetirizine, levocetirizine and placebo for the treatment of childhood perennial allergic rhinitis

Cetirizine (Zyrtec) is a potent and long-acting second-generation histamine H1- receptor antagonist for the treatment of allergic disease, such as allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria, in adult and child. It is a racemic mixture of levocetirizine (Xyzal) and dextrocetirizine. The purpose of this present study was to compare the efficacy of cetirizine, levocetirizine and placebo for the treatment of pediatric perennial allergic rhinitis. 74 perennial allergic rhinitis patients, aged 6 to 12 years old, assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups for 12 weeks randomly. The effects of the three agents were compared with the Pediatric Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (PRQLQ) and Total Symptom Score (TSS) by diary. Nasal peak expiratory flow rate (nPEFR) and laboratory examinations including serum immunoglobulin E level, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), blood eosinophil counts and eosinophil percentage in a nasal smear were evaluated among the three groups. The results revealed that both cetirizine and levocetirizine improved TSS in comparison with the placebo group, and ceterizine appeared to be more efficacious than levocetirizine at week 8 and week 12. The PRQLQ score showed significant decreased both in cetirizine and levocetirizine group, but there was no statistic significant difference between both groups. The eosinophil proportion in a nasal smear significantly decreased among the cetirizine in comparison with the placebo group but there was no statistic significant in levocetirizine groups. Both cetirizine and levocetirizine showed significant improvement in nPEFR in comparison with the placebo group, and ceterizine appeared to be more efficacious than levocetirizine. The 12-week treatment program showed that cetirizine was more effectious than levocetirizine.     

经皮下特异性免疫治疗的支气管哮喘和/或过敏性鼻炎患儿全身不良反应观察及危险因素分析

目的 分析皮下特异性免疫治疗（SCIT）治疗儿童支气管哮喘和/或变应性鼻炎的全身不良反应（SR）的发生情况及危险因素。方法 回顾性分析该院儿科收治的支气管哮喘和/或变应性鼻炎患儿198例为研究对象。根据所有患儿SCIT过程中SR和局部不良反应（LR）的发生情况,分为SR组（n=31）及对照组（未发生SR及LR的患儿,n=142）,采用logistic多因素回归分析对发生SR的危险因素进行分析。结果 在对198例患儿的8 157次SCIT注射中,共有25（12.6%）例患儿发生31例次（0.38%）SR,其中Ⅰ级SR 18例次（58%）,Ⅱ级SR 10例次（32%）,Ⅲ级SR 3例次（10%）,无Ⅳ级SR。多因素logistic回归分析显示同时合并食物及吸入过敏原的多重过敏、尘螨sIgE 6级、总IgE 6级、既往LR发生史是SR的独立危险因素（P < 0.05）。结论 SCIT治疗哮喘和/或过敏性鼻炎的SR发生率低,安全性良好。对同时合并食物及吸入过敏原的多重过敏、高敏状态（尘螨sIgE 6级、总IgE 6级）、既往局部不良反应发生史者需警惕SR发生。     

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.     

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.     

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??Objective To understand the dynamic changes of early clinical curative effect in children with asthma and allergic rhinitis who received the dust mite specific immunotherapy??and to discuss the influencing factors of the efficacy. Methods A total of 70 cases with mild or moderate persistent asthma combined with allergic rhinitis who received the dust mite specific immunotherapy combined with drug therapy between February 2012 and November 2012 in Beijing Children’s Hospital were adopted in the case-self-control study. Results Totally 54 cases completed treatment of 12 months. The clinical response rates to SIT ??effective cases?? at 3??6??9 and 12 months after SIT were 72.2%??39????75.9%??41????81.5%??44?? and 87.0%??47???? respectively. After one year of treatment??the average daily SMS and VAS score were all decreased ??5.28±2.28 vs. 2.87±1.96??5.59±3.35 vs. 4.04±3.68?? P??0.05??. PEF% pred was improved???95.41±15.18?? vs. ??99.24±16.24????P??0.05??. Conclusion The effective rate of SIT increases gradually with prolonged treatment. When children with asthma and allergic rhinitis received immunotherapy combined with drug therapy??the patients with higher baseline SMS??shorter asthma history and lower PEF%pred respond more effectively to SIT.     

儿童螨过敏性鼻炎的免疫治疗

目的探讨舌下脱敏治疗对螨虫致敏过敏性鼻炎患儿的疗效。方法回顾性研究2014年3月至2019年9月就诊于首都医科大学附属北京儿童医院耳鼻咽喉头颈外科门诊490例螨虫致敏过敏性鼻炎患儿,并依据患儿的临床情况,将其分成低龄儿童组、脱敏治疗时长组、个体化剂量调整组及多重过敏疗效评估组,记录患儿在首诊、治疗12个月、24个月及36个月时的鼻部总症状评分(TNSS)、视觉模拟量表评分(VAS)及总用药评分(TMS),并计算症状药物联合评分(CSMS)。结果共有374例(76.32%)患儿完成了本次研究。其中低龄儿童用药组中,≤3岁组与>3岁组在用药12个月后的CSMS(2.20±1.61、2.50±1.78)、TNSS(2.80±2.32、3.60±2.71)及VAS(3.50±1.16、3.90±1.43)显著低于首诊时的评分CSMS[(4.50±1.44、5.30±1.32)、TNSS(6.20±1.89、7.50±2.19)、VAS(5.40±2.33、5.90±1.61)];此外,在脱敏治疗不同时间组中,完成36个月脱敏治疗患儿,仅在3年组中,评分分别为TNSS(0.90±0.97)、VAS(1.30±1.19)和CSMS(1.70±1.28),完成24个月脱敏疗程患儿在2年组和3年组的评分分别为TNSS(2.10±0.95、2.00±0.97)、VAS(3.00±1.56、3.10±1.68)、CSMS(3.10±1.15、2.90±1.19),完成12个月脱敏治疗患者在1年组、2年组和3年组中评分为TNSS(3.20±1.27、3.10±1.41、3.20±1.41)、VAS(4.50±2.11、4.70±2.19、4.50±2.17)和CSMS(4.20±1.39、3.70±1.32、4.10±1.39);脱敏治疗疗效不佳患儿在进行个体化增量后6个月(即治疗后12个月)达到与对照组相近的评分,即4号4滴组、4号5滴组和对照组的评分CSMS(2.90±1.56、2.90±1.88、2.40±1.69)、TNSS(4.70±2.98、3.90±2.77、3.80±2.45)和VAS(4.20±1.29、4.50±1.62、4.20±1.14);多重过敏患者脱敏2年后最终达到与单一过敏患者相近的疗效,单一过敏组、合并1~2种过敏原和合并3种以上过敏原组评分分别为CSMS(2.30±0.50、2.10±1.01、1.90±1.01)、TNSS(3.50±2.62、3.70±2.62、3.20±2.82)和VAS(4.50±1.00、4.10±1.57、3.80±1.54)。结论脱敏治疗在低龄儿童用药、多重过敏等方面均可发挥疗效,部分患儿在剂量调整后获得更好疗效。     

Interleukin-5 and interleukin-8 in relation to eosinophils and neutrophils in nasal fluids from school children with seasonal allergic rhinitis

The objectives of this study were to measure interleukins 5 and 8 (IL-5 and IL-8) in relation to eosinophils and neutrophils, in nasal lavage fluids from 60 school children with allergic rhinitis, and to determine the influence of treatment with a topical steroid (budesonide) on the levels of the two cytokines. Highly sensitive enzyme immunoassays were used to analyze IL-5 and IL-8. IL-5 levels and relative eosinophil counts in nasal lavage fluid increased significantly in patients with allergic rhinitis during the pollen season, compared with values obtained before the start of the season, and decreased significantly after treatment with budesonide. By contrast, no significant changes in IL-8 or neutrophils were found during the pollen season, nor did they decrease following treatment. In the untreated patients, IL-5 levels correlated significantly with eosinophil counts but not with neutrophil counts, whereas IL-8 levels correlated with neutrophil counts but not with eosinophil counts. After budesonide treatment, the correlation between IL-8 and neutrophils remained, and a correlation between IL-8 and eosinophils emerged. These findings support the concepts that IL-5 has a key role in regulating eosinophils and that IL-8 is important for the regulation of neutrophils. Whereas IL-5 and relative eosinophil counts are profoundly affected by topical steroid treatment, IL-8 and neutrophils are not demonstrably affected by such treatment. It is possible that neutrophils, through the release of IL-8, could be chemotactic for eosinophils in steroid-treated patients.     

Allergic rhinitis in children

Allergic rhinitis affects up to 40% of children but is commonly undiagnosed. Careful assessment of nasal symptoms allows for the most appropriate therapeutic options to be chosen. Allergen avoidance is often difficult in practice. Antihistamines are of limited benefit in allergic rhinitis caused by house dust mite and other perennial allergens, where symptoms, predominantly nasal obstruction, are not histamine mediated. In contrast, symptoms triggered by pollen, such as nasal itch, rhinorrhoea and sneezing, are relieved by antihistamines. Intranasal steroids are the treatment of choice for persistent moderate–severe allergic rhinitis and are more effective than antihistamines for relief of nasal obstruction. Failure to respond to intranasal medications is often caused by poor compliance or inefficient use of nasal sprays. Immunotherapy may be a useful, if expensive, option, particularly where symptoms are because of a specific pollen. The benefits of immunotherapy in house dust mite‐induced rhinitis and asthma remain controversial.     

尘螨特异性免疫治疗哮喘合并变应性鼻炎患儿早期疗效及影响因素研究

目的 了解哮喘合并变应性鼻炎患儿经尘螨特异性免疫治疗后早期临床疗效的动态变化, 并探讨疗效影响因素。方法　收集2012年2月至11月于北京儿童医院确诊的尘螨致敏的轻中度哮喘合并变应性鼻炎患儿70例, 对其进行尘螨特异性免疫治疗联合哮喘和鼻炎的药物治疗, 并进行病例自身对照研究。结果　54例患儿完成了1年的随访, 治疗后3、 6、 9和12个月的治疗有效率分别为72.2%、 75.9%、 81.5%和87.0%; 治疗后1年SMS较基线期显著降低［（5.28±2.28） vs. （2.87±1.96）,P＜0.05］,VAS较基线期显著降低［（5.59±3.35） vs. （4.04±3.68）,P＜0.05］,肺功能呼气流量峰值（PEF% pred）较基线期显著升高［（95.41±15.18） vs. （99.24±16.24）,P＜0.05］。结论　尘螨特异性免疫治疗联合控制药物治疗哮喘合并变应性鼻炎患儿的早期有效率随治疗时间延长而升高, 哮喘病程短、 基线期PEF%pred低、 基线期症状用药计分高的患儿特异性免疫治疗的早期临床疗效更为显著。     

生理性海水喷雾洗鼻液治疗轻度间歇性变应性鼻炎患儿的疗效

目的观察生理性海水喷雾洗鼻液对儿童轻度间歇性变应性鼻炎(AR)的临床疗效及安全性。方法设计调查问卷,将上海4家医院哮喘及呼吸门诊符合轻度间歇性AR诊断标准的5～12岁患儿纳入研究,随机分为4个研究组,根据治疗方案设计分为生理性海水喷雾洗鼻液组(试验组)、氯雷他定组、联合治疗(生理性海水喷雾洗鼻液+氯雷他定)组及空白对照组,根据AR相关症状及体征评分标准对纳入研究的患儿随访4周,观察其临床疗效。结果共255例患儿完成本项研究,4组患儿入组前AR症状及体征评分差异均无统计学意义(Pa>0.05)。在改善AR症状评分方面,试验组、氯雷他定组分别于第2周、第3周起AR症状评分有明显改善(Pa<0.05),且试验组优于氯雷他定组。联合治疗组药后1周,AR症状评分与其他组比较差异均有统计学意义。在改善AR体征方面,治疗第4周,试验组、氯雷他定组与空白对照组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),且试验组优于氯雷他定组。联合治疗组与其他组比较,在治疗第2周体征评分即有改善。本试验未出现试验药物导致的不良反应。结论生理性海水喷雾洗鼻液辅助治疗轻度间歇性AR可以有效地改善患儿鼻部症状及体征,与抗组胺药物联合使用效果更明显。     

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.     

螨过敏性哮喘患儿标准化特异性免疫治疗3年的有效性观察

目的：评价皮下注射免疫治疗（SCIT）3年对螨过敏性哮喘患儿的有效性。方法：选择对屋尘螨过敏的哮喘（伴或不伴有过敏性鼻炎）患儿90例（5~14岁）,随机分成SCIT联合哮喘规范化治疗组（n=45）与仅哮喘规范化治疗的对照组（n=45）,观察两组患儿3年治疗中的症状评分、吸入激素的用量、皮肤变应原点刺试验结果、最大呼气流速、血清总IgE的变化。结果：SCIT治疗组和对照组治疗第1、2、3年的日、夜间症状评分均较其基线期明显下降（P<0.01）,且随着治疗时间的延长而逐年下降（P<0.01）。SCIT治疗组、对照组治疗第1、2、3年吸入激素剂量均明显低于其基线期（P<0.01）,且随着治疗时间的延长而逐年下降（P<0.01）。治疗组吸入激素平均剂量于第2年、第3年均低于对照组（P<0.05）。3年治疗结束后,因症状缓解而停止吸入激素比例SCIT治疗组较对照组高（29% vs 20%,P<0.05）。第3年末SCIT治疗组血清总IgE水平较其基线期明显下降（P<0.01）,亦明显低于对照组（P<0.05）。结论：SCIT治疗对于过敏性哮喘患儿是有效的,并可减少吸入性激素的用量。