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Modified rapid venom desensitization
Author(s) -
CLAYTON W. F.,
REISMAN R. E.,
MUELLER U.,
ARBESMAN C. E.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
clinical and experimental allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.462
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1365-2222
pISSN - 0954-7894
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2222.1983.tb02579.x
Subject(s) - desensitization (medicine) , medicine , maintenance dose , immunoglobulin e , venom , regimen , immunotherapy , immunology , titer , adverse effect , dosing , serum sickness , allergy , gastroenterology , pharmacology , antibody , immune system , biology , ecology , receptor
Summary The clinical and immunologic response to a modified rapid (r) regimen of venom immunotherapy was evaluated and compared to a traditional (t) therapeutic regimen. Nineteen patients in the r group received a starting dose of 0.01 μg and reached a maintenance dose of 50 μg in 7 weeks. Twelve patients in the t group received an average of twenty‐one injections on a weekly basis, reaching the same maintenance dose. The age and sex distribution and pre‐treatment venom‐specific IgE titres (RAST) of both groups were comparable. There were thirteen local reactions to venom therapy in both groups and no systemic reactions. Following therapy, most patients developed a rising titre of serum venom‐specific IgG (V‐IgG). Serum venom‐specific IgE (V‐IgE) changes were similar in the two groups; over half of the patients had a falling titre when on maintenance dose. Twelve patients were re‐stung after reaching maintenance dose. Only one developed a mild systemic reaction, an individual who failed lo show a V‐IgG response with rapid therapy. Five of nine patients did not have an anamnestic V‐IgE response. This rapid method of venom immunotherapy appears to be safe, clinically effective, and comparable to traditional dosing without additional adverse reaction.