Symptoms Of Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis Research Articles

Ragweed in South America: the relevance of aerobiology stations in Latin America

AbstractPollen, particularly from the Ambrosia genus, plays a pivotal role in triggering allergic rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms. This review delves into the global background of Ambrosia, focusing on its origins, invasive potential, and spread to South America. The ecological niche for Ambrosia species is explored, emphasizing its stability globally but exhibiting unique and dynamic features in South America. Information on Ambrosia pollen concentration in South America is summarized, revealing varying levels across countries. The establishment of new aerobiology stations, as highlighted in the latest findings, contributes valuable data for understanding allergen risk management in the region. The health perspective addresses the rise in allergic diseases due to climate change, emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring, especially in South America. Agricultural damage inflicted by Ambrosia is discussed, emphasizing its invasive potential, high seed production, and negative impact on crops, forage quality, and livestock. The review also positions Ambrosia as a marker of climate change, discussing the effects of global warming on pollen seasons, concentrations, and allergenic characteristics. The importance of expanding aerobiology stations in South America is underscored, requiring collaborative efforts from government, scientific societies, and academic institutions. The review concludes by advocating for increased monitoring to address potential challenges posed by Ambrosia, offering a basis for tailored interventions and future research in South American regions.

SQ sublingual immunotherapy tablets for children with allergic rhinitis: A review of phase three trials.

To provide paediatricians with a summary of efficacy and safety of SQ sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) tablets from phase three, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials in children and adolescents with allergic rhinitis or rhinoconjunctivitis, with and without asthma. PubMed searches were conducted and unpublished data were included if necessary. Of the 93 publications, 12 were identified reporting 10 trials. One trial was excluded as paediatric-specific efficacy data were unavailable. The nine eligible trials evaluated grass, house dust mite, ragweed and tree SLIT tablets. Consistent reductions in allergic rhinitis or rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms and medication use were observed with SQ SLIT tablets versus placebo. In a five-year trial, sustained reduction of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms, asthma symptoms and medication use were observed with SQ grass SLIT tablet versus placebo. The number-needed-to-treat to prevent asthma symptoms and medication use in one additional child during follow-up was lowest in younger children. SQ SLIT tablets were generally well tolerated across trials. Evidence supports use of SQ SLIT tablets in children and adolescents with allergic rhinitis or rhinoconjunctivitis, with and without asthma. Long-term data demonstrate disease-modifying effects of SQ grass SLIT tablet and suggest the clinical relevance of initiating allergy immunotherapy earlier in the disease course.

Association of allergies in children younger than 3 years with levels of maternal intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids or fish during pregnancy: A nationwide birth cohort study, the Japan Environment and Children's Study

BackgroundN-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have anti-inflammatory properties and are expected to prevent the onset of allergies. However, epidemiological studies investigating the relationship between child allergies and maternal intake of n-3 PUFAs or fish have yielded inconsistent results. MethodsFollowing exclusions from a dataset comprising 103,057 records from the Japan Environment and Children's Study, 72,105 participants were divided into five groups according to mothers' intake of n-3 PUFAs or fish during pregnancy to assess the risk of their children being diagnosed with allergy by 3 years old. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for child allergies were calculated using multivariable logistic regression analyses with reference to the lowest intake group. ResultsLevels of maternal intake of n-3 PUFAs or fish showed inverted associations (i.e., reduced risk) with the incidence of physician-diagnosed allergic rhinoconjunctivitis or parent-reported symptoms of current rhinitis with eye symptoms at different time points and the cumulative incidence from birth to 3 years of age. Inverted associations were also found for current wheeze at 1-<2 years of age and current eczema at 1-<2 and 0-<3 years of age. However, for food allergies, no significant associations were observed in the incidence in each group compared with the lowest intake group at any age. ConclusionsThe findings suggest that n-3 PUFA intake during pregnancy may reduce the risk of developing allergic diseases and symptoms in children. In addition, consumption of n-3 PUFAs or fish is very unlikely to increase the risk of allergy given that the results are from a country with high fish consumption. Trial registration: UMIN000030786 https://rctportal.niph.go.jp/detail/um?trial_id=UMIN000030786.

Prevalence and time trends of symptoms of allergic rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis in Spanish children: Global Asthma Network (GAN) study.

The time trends of the prevalence of rhinitis, rhinoconjunctivitis and nasal allergy previously described in the ISAAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) in 2002 are unknown; or if the geographical or age differences in Spain persist. To describe the prevalence of rhinitis, rhinoconjunctivitis and nasal allergy in different Spanish geographical areas and compare them with those of the ISAAC. Cross-sectional study of the prevalence of rhinitis, rhinoconjunctivitis and nasal allergy, carried out in 2016-2019 on 19943 adolescents aged 13-14 years and 17215 schoolchildren aged 6-7 years from six Spanish areas (Cartagena, Bilbao, Cantabria, La Coruña, Pamplona, and Salamanca), through a questionnaire based on the Global Asthma Network (GAN) protocol. The prevalences of recent rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis (last 12 months), and nasal allergy/hay fever were 35.1%, 17.6%, and 14.6% in the adolescents and 20%, 8.5%, and 8.9% in the schoolchildren, respectively, with rhinoconjunctivitis in adolescents varying from 20.9% in Bilbao to 13.4% in Cartagena; and in schoolchildren, from 9.8% in La Coruña to 6.4% in Pamplona. These prevalences of rhinoconjunctivitis and nasal allergy in adolescents were higher than those described in the ISAAC (16.3% and 13%) and similar in schoolchildren to the ISAAC (9% and 9.4%). There has been a stabilisation of rhinitis, rhinoconjunctivitis and nasal allergy in schoolchildren that slows the previous upward trend of ISAAC; and a slight non-significant increase in rhinoconjunctivitis and nasal allergy in adolescents. The variability found in adolescents would require local research to be better understood.

440 Prevalence and burden of rhinoconjunctivitis in atopic dermatitis patients: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Allergic rhinoconjuncitivitis can be highly symptomatic and burdensome and complicates the management of eyelid and facial dermatitis in persons with atopic dermatitis (AD). However, little is known about the prevalence, burden and predictors of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms in patients with AD, particularly among adults. This study aims to determine the prevalence and predictors of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis severity in patients with AD. A cross-sectional, dermatology practice-based study was performed at an urban academic medical center (n = 507). Atopic dermatitis severity was assessed by investigator-assessed Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), body surface area (BSA), investigator’s global assessment (IGA), objective-SCORing AD and patient-reported Global Assessment (PtGA). Impact of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms was assessed by Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire. The cohort included children (&amp;lt;18 years; n = 36, 7.1%), young adults (18–49 years; n = 281, 55.4%) and older adults (≥50 years; n = 190, 37.5%), males (n = 219, 43.2%) and females (n = 288, 56.8%), Hispanics (n = 43, 8.5%), Blacks (n = 50, 9.9%), White non-Hispanics (n = 349, 68.8%), Asians (n = 51, 10.1%) and multiracial/other race (n = 14, 2.8%); 413 (81.5%) had private insurance. Overall, 246 (48.5%) reported a history of hay fever, and 15 (3.0%) and 416 (82.1%) of patients with AD reported having trouble with one or multiple rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms in the past 2 weeks; 30 (5.9%) and 365 (72.0%) of patients with AD had quite a bit or extreme trouble with one or multiple rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms, respectively. More severe AD overall (EASI, BSA, IGA and PtGA), as well as more severe facial dermatitis, flexural eczema and xerosis were associated with worse rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms, whereas, race, gender and presence of nummular dermatitis were generally not associated with rhinoconjunctivitis symptom severity. Quite a bit or extreme trouble from one or more rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms was reported in 39 (56.5%) patients with clear/almost clear, 85 (74.6%) mild, 135 (82.8%) moderate and 106 (84.8%) severe PtGA scores. In multivariable ordinal logistic regression models that controlled for demographics, AD severity was significantly associated with higher odds of a wide range of nasal and ocular symptoms, as well as rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms negatively impacting daily activities, causing sleep and practical problems, and negative emotions. Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms occurred in more than 4 out of 5 patients with AD overall, and almost 90% of patients with severe AD. Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis was more common in those with more severe AD, and particularly those with more severe facial dermatitis, flexural eczema and xerosis. Rhinconjunctivitis symptoms negatively impact the lives of patients with AD and warrant appropriate screening and management in clinical practice.

Efficacy and safety of allergen-specific immunotherapy in children

Atopic diseases are one of the most common chronic diseases in children and adolescents. They lead to a significant deterioration in the quality of life of patients and their families. The only strategy for the treatment of atopic diseases that has a disease-modifying effect is allergen-specific immunotherapy. The purpose of this review is to summarize the literature data on the practical aspects of allergen-specific immunotherapy use in children and adolescents with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and atopic bronchial asthma. An analysis of scientific articles has shown that allergen-specific immunotherapy can reduce the severity of symptoms of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and/or atopic bronchial asthma and reduce the amount of pharmacotherapy, as well as reduce the risk of bronchial asthma developing in patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. The current evidence of the preventive effect of allergen-specific immunotherapy in relation to the development of new sensitizations in monosensitized patients is unconvincing, and, according to many authors, new randomized clinical trials are needed. According to most experts, allergen-specific immunotherapy should be started in children from 5 years of age in the presence of proven immunoglobulin E-mediated sensitization to one or more allergens, carried out for at least 3 years, using preparations in which the presence of major allergens is documented. At the same time, both subcutaneous and sublingual administration of allergens has comparable effectiveness. Allergen-specific immunotherapy is a safe and well-tolerated treatment for children, but currently there is no generally accepted classification of possible adverse events, as well as a standardized and uniform system for assessing their severity.

Traditional Chinese Medicine's Luffa Formula Reduces Nasal and Ocular Symptoms in Patients with Environmental and Food Allergies

Environmental allergy (EA) often coexists with other inflammatory conditions such as food allergy. It has been previously shown that the Luffa Formula in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) reduces symptoms of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis in a murine model. We conducted a retrospective study on the Luffa Formula’s effect in reducing EA symptoms among people with comorbid environmental and food allergies, and conducted an in vitro study on IgE production and mast cell activation.

ELEVATED BASELINE SERUM TRYPTASE AND HEREDITARY ALPHA TRYPTASEMIA (HAT)

<h3>Introduction</h3> Hereditary alpha tryptasemia (HaT) is an autosomal dominant genetic trait characterized by elevated basal serum tryptase levels due to extra allelic copies of the tryptase alpha/beta 1 (TPSAB1) gene. HaT has been associated with multisystem complaints and as a modifier of mast cell-associated disorders and anaphylaxis. <h3>Case Description</h3> A 38-year-old male presented for evaluation of food and environmental allergies. He had severe oropharyngeal symptoms and a throat-closing sensation immediately after ingesting raw fruits and tree nuts. He also had symptoms of perennial allergic rhinoconjunctivitis with seasonal variation. Allergy skin testing showed IgE sensitivities to tree, grass and weed pollens, dust mites, mold spores, cat, dog, and cockroach. He had no IgE sensitivities to any of the fruits tested. He had IgE sensitivities to walnut, hazelnut, and almond. Given the severity of his oropharyngeal symptoms a baseline serum tryptase was checked, which was elevated at 20.3 mcg/L. Repeat determinations again showed baseline serum tryptase above 20 mcg/L. CBC with differential and CMP were within normal limits. 24-hour urinary histamine and N-methylhistamine were both within normal. Kit D16 mutation analysis was negative. TPSAB1 copy number analysis showed extra allelic alpha-tryptase copies, consistent with hereditary alpha tryptasemia (HaT). The patient received counseling and standard treatment for environmental/food allergies and tolerates allergen-specific immunotherapy. <h3>Discussion</h3> HaT is an inherited condition considered a biochemical trait and can be present in around 5% of the general population. Patients with elevated baseline serum tryptase may benefit from testing for extra allelic copies of TPSAB1.

Allergic rhinitis, rhinoconjunctivitis and hayfever symptoms among pre-school children are associated with school transport mode: an analytical cross sectional study

Allergic rhinitis, rhinoconjunctivitis and hayfever symptoms among pre-school children are associated with school transport mode: an analytical cross sectional study

Time trends in asthma and atopic diseases in North-West part of Croatia-ISAAC Phase III (2013).

The authors conducted two cross-sectional studies 8 years apart with the aim of assessing temporal trends in the prevalence of asthma and atopic diseases in Međimurje County, Northwestern Croatia. Studies were conducted in children aged 12 years 0 months to 14 years 11 months in 2005 and in 2013; additionally, in adolescents aged 18 years in 2013 according to the international study on asthma and allergies protocol. In the age group 12-14 years, a significant increase in the prevalence of asthma (5.1% vs 8.31%), allergic rhinitis (10.86% vs 16.24%), allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (7.14% vs 10.95%) and atopic dermatitis (5.34% vs 8.12%) was observed. When the age group 12-14 years in 2005 was compared with the age group 18 years in 2013, a significant increase in symptoms of asthma (5.1% vs 11.5%), allergic rhinitis (10.86% vs 19.59%), allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (7.14% vs 14.25%), and atopic dermatitis (5.34% vs 7.69%) was observed. This study shows an increasing trend in Međimurje County in the prevalence of all symptoms associated with atopic diseases: Asthma, allergic rhinitis, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, and atopic dermatitis.

Effects of ectoine containing nasal spray and eye drops on symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.

BackgroundPatients are often dissatisfied with the symptom control obtained from available pharmacological treatments for seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC). Therefore, patients seek for alternative, nonpharmacological options to treat their symptoms. Here, we assessed the efficacy of ectoine nasal spray and ectoine eye drops in comparison to placebo to prevent nasal and ocular symptoms following exposure to pollen in patients with ARC.MethodsIn this double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over study, 46 patients with ARC applied ectoine eye drops and nasal spray in immediate succession or placebo eye drops and nasal spray for 13 days before ARC symptoms were induced in an environmental exposure chamber. Primary endpoint was the baseline‐adjusted area under the curve (AUC) posttreatment total nasal symptom score (TNSS) and the total ocular symptom score (TOSS) using analysis of covariance. Secondary endpoints were, amongst others, total nonnasal symptoms score (TNNSS) and nasal patency (measured using acoustic rhinometry).ResultsTreatment with both ectoine and placebo reduced TNSS, TOSS, and TNNSS upon allergen exposure. The analysis of parameters at baseline and after allergen exposure demonstrated that ectoine induced a clinically relevant improvement in ARC symptoms compared to placebo: the least square mean difference for baseline‐adjusted AUC was ‒1.87 for TNSS, ‒1.45 for TOSS and ‒2.20 for TNNSS. The mean change from baseline AUC of TNNSS for ectoine was also significantly greater than for placebo (‒5.49 vs. ‒3.46; p = 0.011). Ectoine significantly improved the singular symptoms “sneezing,” “watery eyes” and “itchy eyes” (p ≤ 0.021) as well as “itchy ear/palate” (p = 0.036) in comparison to placebo. Mean cross sectional areas of the nasal cavity were reduced to a lesser extent after treatment with ectoine (‒0.020 ± 0.022) than with placebo (‒0.047 ± 0.029). The current study also demonstrated a very good safety profile of ectoine treatment. Few AEs with comparable numbers in both treatment groups were reported during the study, which were mild in severity and resolved without medical treatment.ConclusionThe study suggests that ectoine is effective in reducing nasal and ocular symptoms associated with ARC. Being a natural, bacteria derived stress protection molecule functioning by a physical mode of action, it therefore represents an alternative nonpharmacological treatment option.

Ectoine in the Treatment of Irritations and Inflammations of the Eye Surface.

The ocular surface is facing various unspecific stress factors resulting in irritation and inflammation of the epithelia, causing discomfort to the patients. Ectoine is a bacteria-derived extremolyte with the ability to protect proteins and biological membranes from damage caused by extreme environmental conditions like heat, UV-light, high osmolarity, or dryness. Evidence from preclinical and clinical studies attest its effectiveness in treating several epithelium-associated inflammatory diseases, including the eye surface. In this review, we analysed 16 recent clinical trials investigating ectoine eye drops in patients with allergic conjunctivitis or with other unspecific ocular inflammations caused by e.g. ophthalmic surgery. Findings from these studies were reviewed in context with other published work on ectoine. In summary, patients with irritations and unspecific inflammations of the ocular surface have been treated successfully with ectoine-containing eye drops. In these patients, significant improvement was observed in ocular symptoms of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, postoperative secondary dry eye syndrome, or ocular reepithelisation after surgery. Using ectoine as an add-on therapy to antihistamines, in allergy patients accelerated symptom relief by days, and its use as an add-on to antibiotics resulted in faster wound closure. Ectoine is a natural substance with an excellent tolerability and safety profile thus representing a helpful alternative for patients with inflammatory irritation of the ocular surface, who wish to avoid local reactions and side effects associated with pharmacological therapies or wish to increase the efficacy of standard treatment regimen.

Model based ragweed pollen counts predict sleep difficulty in allergy immunotherapy patients in small clinic in Southeastern Michigan, USA

Introduction: Allergic rhino-conjunctivitis impacts up to a quarter of the world’s population. Symptoms include sneezing, rhinorrhea, pruritus, and sleep disturbance. Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) is a plant common to North America and an important allergen. Predicting allergic symptoms associated with ragweed has largely relied on crude and/or expensive methods of measuring airborne pollen counts. We apply a novel model-based raster of predicted pollen counts to test associations with self-reported symptoms of allergic rhino-conjunctivitis among patients receiving immunotherapy for pollen allergies at a University-based allergy clinic in the U.S. Methods: Patients receiving immunotherapy injections for seasonal allergies were enrolled in the study on site. Participants filled out a brief intake survey on allergic and symptomatic profiles, sleep quality, housing quality and demographics and then completed a daily sleep quality survey by email for 21 consecutive days. Using the date and GPS location of survey response, ragweed pollen counts were extracted from a model-based raster (25km pixels) of daily predicted pollen counts. Associations between predicted pollen counts and a composite index of sleep quality were estimated using ordinal logistic regression models. Results: 50 people were enrolled in the study; 26 (52%) were female. The mean age was 37.9 years. 96% of participants had lived in the area for more than a year. 28 (56%) of respondents were receiving immunotherapy for ragweed pollen. Pollen counts (in 1000s) the previous day was associated with severe sleeping problems (OR 1.83 (1.26, 2.66)), even when controlling for travel to other regions and age of respondent. Impacts on sleep quality were not limited to only persons known to have ragweed allergies. Conclusion: Model based predicted ragweed pollen counts can be used to forecast symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis in people with disease severe enough to receive immunotherapy.

Non-response did not affect prevalence estimates of asthma and respiratory symptoms - results from a postal questionnaire survey of the general population

BackgroundA high participation rate is warranted in order to ensure validity in surveys of the general population. However, participation rates in such studies have declined during the last decades. ObjectiveTo evaluate the reasons for and potential effects of non-response in a large population-based survey about asthma and respiratory symptoms in Northern Sweden. MethodsWithin the Obstructive Lung Disease In Norrbotten (OLIN) studies, a random sample of 12,000 adults aged 20–79 was invited to a postal questionnaire survey about asthma, allergic rhino-conjunctivitis and respiratory symptoms in 2016. Three reminders were sent. A random sample of 500 non-responders was invited to a telephone interview. ResultsThe participation rate in the initial mailing was 41.4%, and 9.2%, 5.0%, and 2.6% in the subsequent three reminders and totally 58.3% (n = 6854) responded. Of 500 non-responders selected for telephone interviews, 320 were possible to reach and 272 participated. Male sex, younger age, and current smoking were associated with both late and non-response. The prevalence of asthma and most respiratory symptoms did not differ significantly between responders and non-responders while allergic rhino-conjunctivitis and smoking was more common among non-responders. Reminders increased the participation rate but did not alter risk ratios for smoking and occupational exposures. Reasons for non-response were mainly lack of time and having forgotten to answer. ConclusionsWith a response rate of 58.3%, neither the prevalence estimates of asthma, respiratory symptoms nor the associations to risk factors were affected by non-response, while allergic rhino-conjunctivitis and smoking was underestimated in this Swedish population.

Urban-rural differences in health care utilization and prescription filling for childhood asthma

Despite lower asthma prevalence in rural compared with urban children, 1 Asher M.I. Montefort S. Bjorksten B. et al. Worldwide time trends in the prevalence of symptoms of asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, and eczema in childhood: ISAAC phases one and three repeat multicountry cross-sectional surveys. Lancet. 2006; 368: 733-743 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (3051) Google Scholar ,2 Lawson J.A. Rennie D.C. Cockcroft D.W. et al. Childhood asthma, asthma severity indicators, and related conditions along an urban-rural gradient: a cross-sectional study. BMC Pulm Med. 2017; 17: 4 Crossref PubMed Scopus (20) Google Scholar studies suggest that rural children have higher asthma morbidity and uncontrolled asthma. 2 Lawson J.A. Rennie D.C. Cockcroft D.W. et al. Childhood asthma, asthma severity indicators, and related conditions along an urban-rural gradient: a cross-sectional study. BMC Pulm Med. 2017; 17: 4 Crossref PubMed Scopus (20) Google Scholar , 3 Pesek R.D. Vargas P.A. Halterman J.S. Jones S.M. McCracken A. Perry T.T. A comparison of asthma prevalence and morbidity between rural and urban schoolchildren in Arkansas. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2010; 104: 125-131 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (43) Google Scholar , 4 Valet R.S. Gebretsadik T. Carroll K.N. et al. High asthma prevalence and increased morbidity among rural children in a Medicaid cohort. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2011; 106: 467-473 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (46) Google Scholar Investigation into potential differences in management and health care utilization after asthma diagnosis would help provide a better understanding of these results. Potential barriers to health care access in rural areas may contribute to poor management of asthma and help explain uncontrolled disease in these areas.

Comparison of Six Different Allergen Extracts for Subcutaneous Specific Immunotherapy in Children: An Open-Labelled, Prospective, Controlled Observational Trial

Background: Numerous products are available for subcutaneous (SCIT) and sublingual allergen-specific immunotherapy, but there are no information about the direct comparability regarding efficacy, safety, and tolerability of the different extracts. Aims: The aim of this open-labelled, prospective, controlled observational trial was to test the feasibility of a comparison of different products for SCIT in children. Methods: Pediatrician practices recruited patients with a confirmed diagnosis of a seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (AR) with or without asthma and an allergic sensitization against grass pollen allergen. Every patient was offered SCIT with one out of six allergen extracts: ALK SQ Depot, ALK Avanz, Allergovit, Depigoid, Purethal, Pollinex Quattro. Scores for symptoms and medications were calculated and the difference between treatment years and baseline were recorded. Results: In total, 284 were recruited and 255 children (89.8%; mean age 10.4, SD 3.54 years; 65% males) participated in this trial. Overall, 49,649 patient days were recorded in the electronic database (mean 183.2 days/patient). There was no significant difference in the AR and asthma symptom score or the medication score between the six different SCIT preparations. Similarly, no differences were observed in terms of safety and tolerability. Conclusion: The comparison of different SCIT products using an online tool is feasible. Based on our preliminary data, all extracts indicated efficacy; however, larger groups would be necessary to demonstrate superiority or non-inferiority of one specific SCIT product.

Persistence of the clinical effect of grass allergen peptide immunotherapy after the second and third grass pollen seasons

Grass allergen peptides are in development for the treatment of grass pollen-induced allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Aprevious randomized, placebo-controlled study demonstrated that grass allergen peptides significantly improved total rhinoconjunctivitis symptom scores (TRSSs) after posttreatment challenge (PTC) to rye grass in an environmental exposure unit after 1 intervening grass pollen season (GPS1). We sought to evaluate the efficacy/safety of 4 dosing regimens of grass allergen peptides after a second (GPS2) and third (GPS3) intervening GPS in the environmental exposure unit. Eligible subjects who were randomized in the parent study (GPS1) during the first year of recruitment were invited to participate in GPS2 and GPS3, which took place 1 and 2 years after treatment cessation, respectively. Participants were not treated further, and both participants and study personnel remained blinded. The primary efficacy end point was the change in mean TRSS (reported every 30 minutes) from GPS1 baseline to the follow-up PTC calculated across all time points over days 2 to 4 for GPS2 and across hours 1 to 3 over days 2 to 4 for GPS3. Secondary efficacy end points and safety were also assessed. One hundred twenty-two and 85 participants were enrolled in GPS2 and GPS3, respectively. Anumerically greater, but not statistically significant improvement from baseline in mean TRSS at PTC was observed in the group receiving one 6-nmol intradermal injection every 2 weeks for 14 weeks group compared with the placebo at GPS2 (-6.0 vs -3.6, P= .0535) and GPS3 (-6.2 vs -3.6, P= .1128). Similar findings were observed for the group receiving one 6-nmol intradermal injection every 2 weeks for 14 weeks at GPS3 (-6.4 vs -3.6, P=.0759). No adverse safety signals were detected. Treatment with grass allergen peptides led to an improvement in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms after 3 intervening GPSs, corresponding to up to 2 years off treatment.

A comparison of different methods of the allergen-specific immunotherapy in patients with pollinosis: the results of open randomized study

Background. Allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) is viewed as the only treatment that influences all patho-genetically significant parts of the allergic process in the initial and late phases of the IgE-mediated allergic reaction and modifies the abnormal immune reactivity to a specific allergen. Currently, sublingual (SLIT) and subcutaneous (SCIT) immunotherapy are most commonly used in clinical practice. Despite long experience of sublingual and subcutaneous immunotherapy application, questions remain about the preferred ASIT method and comparative effectiveness of different ASIT methods. This article evaluates the efficacy, benefits of SCIT and SLIT and highlights new findings related mechanisms and potential biomarkers. The aim of the study. To evaluate the comparative efficacy of different methods of ASIT (subcutaneous and sublingual) based on clinical data and biomarkers in the blood serum and other biological fluids in adult patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (with/without asthma). Materials and methods. 60 patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (with/without asthma) aged 18 to 50 were randomly assigned to 3 groups treated by sublingual immunotherapy with extracts of allergens, subcutaneous immunotherapy with extracts of allergens and subcutaneous with modified allergens (allergoids) respectively. Results. The efficiency of the first course of preseason ASIT (SCIT and SLIT) with extracts of allergens and aller-goids in the control of symptoms of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (with/without asthma) was demonstrated. After the end of the first year pre-season ASIT data analysis scales (Total Symptom Score -TSS, Medircation Score -MS) revealed the best performance in the group of patients receiving SCIT with allergoids compared with patients receiving the SLIT with extracts of allergens: the scales of the TSS (p=0.023), MS (p=0.002). In addition, at the end of the maintenance phase of ASIT in patients treated with SCIT with allergoids the level of eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) in the nasal lavage decreased by 22% (p=0.012), secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in the nasal lavage increased by 70% (p=0.001), interleukin-10 (IL-10) in serum increased by 126% (p=0.006), allergen-specific IgG4 increased by 42% (p=0.01) from the initial values, that correlates with a decrease in the severity of clinical manifestations. In pollen season ECP level in nasal lavage was significantly (p=0.007) lower in a group of patients who received SCIT with allergoids compared with patients who received the SLIT with extracts of allergens. The most significant changes of serum level of IL-10 in the pollen season occurred in a group of patients receiving SCIT with allergoids compared with patients who received SLIT (p=0.013) and SCIT (p=0.001) with extracts of allergens. Conclusion. The study results deepen the existing understanding of the mechanisms of SCIT and SLIT. They allow to develop a comprehensive assessment of the therapy efficacy scheme based on clinical parameters and on monitoring of local (ECP, sIgA) and systemic biomarkers (IL-10, allergen-specific IgG4) as well.

Modulation of CRTh2 expression on allergen-specific T cells following peptide immunotherapy.

BackgroundAllergen immunotherapy using synthetic peptide T‐cell epitopes (Cat‐PAD) from the major cat allergen Fel d 1 has been shown, in allergen exposure studies, to significantly reduce symptoms of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis in cat‐allergic subjects. However, the immunological mechanisms underlying clinical benefit remain only partially understood. Since previous studies of whole allergen immunotherapy demonstrated a reduction in the frequency of allergen‐specific (MHC II tetramer+) CD4+ T cells expressing the chemokine receptor CRTh2, we assessed the impact of Cat‐PAD on the frequency and functional phenotype of Fel d 1‐specific CD4+ T cells.MethodsUsing before and after treatment samples from subjects enrolled in a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial of Cat‐PAD, we employed Fel d 1 MHC II tetramers and flow cytometry to analyze the expression of chemokine receptors CCR3, CCR4, CCR5, CXCR3, and CRTh2, together with markers of memory phenotype (CD27 and CCR7) on Fel d 1‐specific CD4+ T cells.ResultsNo statistically significant change in the frequency of Fel d 1‐specific CD4+ T cells, nor in their expression of chemokine receptors or memory phenotype, was observed. However, a significant reduction in cell surface expression of CRTh2 was observed between the placebo and active groups (P = 0.047).ConclusionsPeptide immunotherapy with Cat‐PAD does not significantly alter the frequency or phenotype of Fel d 1‐CD4+ T cells, but may decrease their expression of CRTh2.

&lt;p&gt;Iodixanol nasal solution reduces allergic rhinoconjunctivitis signs and symptoms in Allergen BioCube&lt;sup&gt;&amp;reg;&lt;/sup&gt;:&amp;nbsp;a randomized clinical trial&lt;/p&gt;

PurposeAllergic rhinitis (AR) affects ~20% of the population worldwide. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the safety and efficacy of iodixanol nasal solution (Nasapaque) for AR treatment, using the Allergen BioCube® (ABC®), an environmental exposure unit. Iodixanol is a commonly used contrast media agent that shows efficacy on the signs and symptoms of AR.Patients and methodsSeventy-three adult subjects with AR were randomized to iodixanol or placebo treatment in a double-masked efficacy and safety study conducted outside of ragweed pollen season. In-office treatment was administered after BioCube® ragweed pollen exposure, and again 8 days later prior to ragweed exposure. Nasal and ocular efficacy and safety assessments were conducted before and after treatment.ResultsIodixanol treatment resulted in statistically significantly lower total nasal symptom scores as compared to placebo at several time points post-treatment and ABC exposure. Individual nasal and ocular symptoms, notably nasal itching and ocular itching, showed evidence of lower scores in the iodixanol group. Peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) improved (9%–16%) with iodixanol from baseline as compared to PNIF in the placebo group which ranged from 3% worsening to improvement of 2%. Few (9) adverse events occurred.ConclusionIodixanol nasal solution demonstrated efficacy for relief of several nasal and ocular allergic rhinoconjunctivitis signs and symptoms, and was safe and well tolerated in this early Phase II exploratory trial. Further studies with iodixanol are warranted. Allergy challenge models such as the ABC provide valuable assessments of allergen exposures and drug efficacies.Study Identification NumberNCT02377895