Abstract
Background: Cross-reactivity between pollens and plant food has been widely described. Pollen extract subcutaneous immunotherapy in patients with pollens and plant food allergy has been shown to improve tolerance not only to inhalant allergens but also to reduce symptoms in patients with various food allergies. Methods: We retrospectively report our experience with 15 female patients with a positive history for moderate, persistent allergic rhinitis due to grass pollen and oropharyngeal symptoms after ingestion of different plant food. These patients followed a five-grass pollen sublingual tablet immunotherapy for three years in a discontinuous pre-co-seasonal scheme. Results: All 15 patients treated with the 5-grass pollen sublingual tablet immunotherapy, taken once daily for 3 years on a 7-month course, showed improved ocular/nasal symptoms, with a reduction in the use of symptomatic drugs (e.g., nasal corticosteroids and H1 antihistamines). After the first seven-month course of immunotherapy, all patients declared a good tolerance to the intake of fruits and vegetables, and in particular, good tolerance to the offending foods. Conclusions: In conclusion, we have observed improvement of both respiratory and plant food allergies after sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with a five-grass pollen tablet.
Highlights
Cross-reactivity between pollens and plant food has been widely described [1,2,3]
All 15 patients treated with the 5-grass pollen sublingual tablet immunotherapy, taken once daily for 3 years on a 7-month course, showed improved ocular/nasal symptoms, with a reduction in the use of symptomatic drugs after the first 7-month course of 5-grass-pollen immunotherapy
Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is the cornerstone of IgE-mediated respiratory allergy treatment, and is administered as subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) or sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT); AIT with food extracts could avoid food allergy reactions and prevent the risk of potentially life-threatening allergic reactions [19]
Summary
Cross-reactivity between pollens and plant food has been widely described [1,2,3]. It has been reported to cause the onset of allergic reactions in subjects who develop sensitization to both pollens, developing respiratory allergies and allergies to plant food and causing food allergy clinical manifestations which can vary from oral allergic syndrome (OAS). We report our experience with 15 female patients who were consecutively evaluated at the Allergy Unit of G.Martino University Hospital in Messina, Italy, with a positive history for moderate, persistent allergic rhinitis due to grass pollen and oropharyngeal symptoms after ingestion of different plant foods. These patients after undergoing allergic screening were prescribed a five-grass pollen sublingual tablet immunotherapy which they followed for three years in a discontinuous pre-co-seasonal scheme
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