Safety and Efficacy of Allergen Immunotherapy in Patients with HIV and Allergic Rhinitis: Facts and Fiction

Abstract

Allergic disorders are increasing, and more than a quarter of the global population have allergies. The belief that individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are less likely to develop allergic disorders has been disproved. Approximately 33.3 million individuals younger than 25 years of age are living with HIV. Allergic rhinitis is a poorly controlled, chronic disorder in this group of patients. The burden of disease related to allergic rhinitis, both personal and global, has challenged the experts in the field to improve currently available treatments. Allergen immunotherapy is the only recognised treatment which can modulate the immune system and develop tolerance. It has been available for the past 100 years, and although improvements have been made to make it more effective and a relatively safe treatment option, it is poorly used for treating patients with HIV who have allergic rhinitis. This article explores the limited information available in the literature to help highlight the urgent need to address this issue which remains a complex management dilemma for physicians.