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Suppression of the late asthmatic reaction by hyposensitization in asthmatic children allergic to house dust mite ( Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus )
Author(s) -
BEVER H. P.,
STEVENS W. J.
Publication year - 1989
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.1365-2222.1989.tb02405.x
Subject(s) - medicine , provocation test , house dust mite , asthma , mite , allergy , immunology , dust mites , pyroglyphidae , allergen , pathology , botany , alternative medicine , biology
Summary In this study, we wanted to test the hypothesis that hyposensitization (HS) abrogates the late asthmatic reaction (LAR). We therefore selected 15 asthmatic children (subjects) sensitized to house dust mite (HDM), as proven by positive prick tests and/or specific IgE via the RAST. All children demonstrated a positive bronchial provocation test (BPT) to HDM; 14 showed a dual asthmatic reaction and one child showed an isolated LAR. All children were treated with anti‐asthmatic drugs and received HS. They were rechallenged after 1 yr of HS while their anti‐asthmatic medication was not changed, except for β‐agonists which were used only for relief of symptoms. Two BPTs, with a mean interval of 6.4 months, were also performed in eight asthmatic children (controls), who did not receive HS. In the controls, the same reaction pattern was observed during both BPTs. In the subjects, the LAR completely resolved in 5/15 after 1 yr of HS ( P = 0.04). Furthermore, as a group, the subjects showed a less severe LAR after 1 yr of HS (expressed as mean fall of FEV 1 ) ( P < 0.0001). The PD 20 of the immediate asthmatic reaction (IAR) was the same as before HS was started, but the IAR was also less severe after 1 yr of HS (expressed as mean fall of FEV 1 ) ( P = 0.028). From these observations it is concluded that, in asthmatic children, HS may resolve and/or reduce the severity of the LAR. Although the PD 20 of the IAR is not changed, the severity of the IAR is also reduced after 1 yr of HS.