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Sublingual allergen immunotherapy in HIV ‐positive patients
Author(s) -
Iemoli E.,
Borgonovo L.,
Fusi A.,
Magni C.,
Ricci E. D.,
Rizzardini G.,
Piconi S.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.363
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1398-9995
pISSN - 0105-4538
DOI - 10.1111/all.12713
Subject(s) - medicine , contraindication , sublingual administration , slit , immunotherapy , immunology , incidence (geometry) , allergy , population , viral load , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , immune system , pathology , physics , alternative medicine , environmental health , biology , optics , genetics
HIV infection is a relative contraindication for allergic immunotherapy ( AIT ). In the last decade, highly active antiretroviral therapy ( HAART ) has improved the immune function and life expectancy in HIV ‐infected patients whose respiratory allergic incidence is similar to the general population. We evaluated the safety and clinical effectiveness of sublingual immunotherapy in a group of grass pollen‐allergic HAART ‐treated HIV ‐positive patients. Thirteen patients received sublingual immunotherapy ( SLIT ) tablet (Oralair, Stallergenes©) and symptomatic therapy and were compared with nine patients receiving symptomatic therapy alone. Clinical benefits were evaluated by the analysis of total combined score ( TCS ), sum of symptom–medication score, and a quality of life (QoL) questionnaire. HIV viral load and peripheral TCD 4 lymphocytes were analyzed at the beginning and at the end of the study. Clinical efficacy data showed a significant improvement in SLIT ‐treated patients compared to controls ( TCS : P = 0.0001; QoL: P = 0.03). We did not observe any significant alteration of TCD 4 cell counts and viral load ( VL ) in both groups. Our preliminary data showed that SLIT therapy in viro‐immunological controlled HAART treated HIV positive patients was efficacious, safe and well tolerated.