Publications by authors named "Falagiani P"

Background: Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with monomeric carbamylated allergoid proved to be well tolerated, safe and effective in patients with respiratory allergy. Standard administration regimens are expected to require a long time before clinical benefit can be appreciated. We investigated whether pre-seasonal and perennial regimens differently affect the clinical efficacy of grass pollen SLIT.

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Background: Patients sensitized to common pets (cat, dog) frequently display an immunoglobulin (Ig) E-mediated response to allergens from other animals.

Objective: To evaluate whether individuals sensitized to common pets might be at higher risk of developing allergic sensitization to other mammalian allergens.

Methods: The study population comprised 900 consecutive patients (300 individuals sensitized to different allergens including those of cat and dog [group AL, 300 sensitized to allergens other than those derived from cat and dog [group B], and 300 nonsensitized individuals [group C, controls]).

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The efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy, at present one of the treatments of choice for respiratory allergy, relies on the tolerance induced by oral mucosa-associated immune system; however, the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT: Peyers patches and isolated lymphoid follicles) and mesenteric lymph nodes could also be involved, being stimulated by the ingested part of the allergen extract. The aim of the present study is to assess whether the exposure of the allergen exclusively to the GALT induces a tolerogenic response. For this purpose, mice were sensitized with ovalbumin or Par j 1 allergens.

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Background: The association between genetic predisposition and environmental risk factors such as passive smoke in determining respiratory allergies is still uncertain; even less is known about the role played by passive smoking in influencing the success of therapy for rhinitis and allergic asthma.

Objective: The purpose of this prospective, randomised study was to determine whether passive smoking influences the outcome of therapies in paediatric patients with allergic respiratory diseases.

Methods: The study included 68 children (mean age 11.

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Sublingual immunotherapy is widely recognized as a viable treatment for allergic rhinitis and asthma, but the optimal dosage is still under debate, especially with modified allergens. We assessed the clinical effects of a monomeric allergoid across 3 different maintenance doses in mite-monosensitized patients with rhinitis and intermittent asthma. Eighty-nine patients allergic to HDM were randomized to 3 maintenance doses of monomeric allergoid (Lais, Lofarma) or medications only.

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In this report we describe un unusual case of exclusive allergic sensitization to furry animals, as a possible study model to speculate about different modalities ofsensitization to allergens of common and less common mammalian species. A 27-year-old woman referred in our Allergological Centre for the occurrence of conjunctival and severe respiratory symptoms after contact with several animals such as cats, dogs, rabbits, horses, cows etc. Patient underwent clinical and anamnestic evaluation including a detailed information on the modality of exposure to different furry animals.

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Sublingual immunotherapy with monomeric allergoid (allergoid SLIT), given according to the standard scheme, has proved effective and safe in many clinical trials. However, its build-up phase requires a long time ranging from 16 days to 14 weeks. This study therefore investigated whether, with a four-day up-dosing, the same benefit could be achieved in a shorter time.

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Article Synopsis
  • Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) using monomeric carbamylated allergoid is effective and safe for treating allergies, but requires long treatment durations, making it less ideal for short-term relief.
  • A study was conducted comparing a 4-day coseasonal administration protocol with a standard precoseasonal regimen in 33 patients allergic to Olea.
  • Results indicated that the coseasonal group showed significant improvements in well-being and a reduction in rescue medication use compared to the control group, with one mild adverse event reported.
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Some patients with nickel (Ni) allergic contact dermatitis suffer from systemic (intestinal or cutaneous) symptoms after ingestion of Ni-rich foods and experience symptoms reduction with low-Ni diet, a condition termed Systemic Ni Allergy Syndrome (SNAS). We aimed at evaluating whether oral administration of low nickel doses improved clinical conditions and modulated immunological aspects of SNAS, without significant side effects. Thirty-six SNAS patients were enrolled.

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The efficacy and safety of monomeric allergoid (Lofarma, Milan) have been demonstrated in adults but very few studies have examined it in children. This study therefore investigated the efficacy and safety of this sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) at the dosage of 1000 AU five times a week without any up-dosing. Forty allergic children (17 M and 23 F, mean age 7 years, range 4-16 years), 16 with rhinitis and 24 with rhinitis and asthma, were randomized to SLIT or drug therapy.

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Sublingual immunotherapy is safe and efficacious in the treatment of patients with allergic rhinitis. The clinical and biological efficacy of modified allergens (allergoids) has not been fully clarified. We investigated in birch allergic patients the effect of a pre-co-seasonal sublingual immunotherapy regimen with a modified allergen extract on clinical parameters and on T cell proliferation and regulatory cytokine production (IL-10, TGF-beta).

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The influence of different treatment schedules of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in activating IL-10-producing T-cells, crucial in inducing allergen-specific tolerance, is not completely understood. The present work was designed to evaluate allergen driven interleukin release by mononuclear cells in the early phase of SLIT, after application of different induction schemes. Twenty mite-allergic patients were enrolled, 10 (group A) treated with a traditional 98 day induction scheme and 10 (group B) with a 16 day scheme with monomeric allergoid vaccine.

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Background: Very few studies have evaluated the effects of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in elderly adults with either rhinitis or bronchial asthma. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether SLIT is effective in these patients.

Methods: One hundred and sixty seven patients (aged 18-65 years) with persistent rhinitis and mild asthma, selected from 573 subjects allergic to house-dust mites, were treated with either standard chronic pharmacotherapy or SLIT plus drugs on demand.

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Background: Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with monomeric allergoid, given according to the standard scheme, resulted effective and safe. However, the achievement of a clinical benefit requires a long time. We thus performed this study using an administration protocol starting in the co-seasonal period with a 3-day build-up phase and lasting only 6 months, in order to obtain the above benefit in a shorter time.

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Background: Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is safe and efficacious in the treatment of patients with allergic rhinitis. Although favorable clinical effects have been observed with controlled trials as early as a few months since the beginning of treatment, few biological changes induced by SLIT have been demonstrated.

Objective: To investigate in grass-allergic patients the effect of a 2-month SLIT regimen, administered with a simplified protocol without up-dosing, on proliferation and production of cytokines characteristic of the regulatory T-cell phenotype (interleukin 10 [IL-10] and transforming growth factor beta [TGF-beta]) by allergen-specific T cells.

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Background: Date palm (DP) pollen can cause allergic symptoms in people living in different countries. Specific immunotherapy with allergenic extracts by subcutaneous route is effective to cure allergic people. However, the risk of side effects has led to explore safer therapeutic modalities.

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Background: Pseudo-allergic reactions against aspirin (ASA) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are quite frequent.

Objective: Our aim was to determine tolerance of Celecoxib, a selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2), by oral challenge test in patients who showed skin reactions (diffuse erythema or urticaria/angioedema) after taking ASA and/or NSAIDs.

Methods: The oral challenge test was carried out in single-blind on 86 patients treated with a 200 mg cumulative dose of Celebrex, administered in 3 or 4 visits at 48-72 hours interval.

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Background: Sublingual specific immunotherapy (SLIT) with monomeric allergoid has shown to be safe and effective the studies performed so far. The build-up phase, however, is rather time consuming mainly if performed with the conventional schedule of 14 weeks.

Aims Of Study: We evaluated the possibility of shortening and simplifying this phase, through a new build-up scheme of only 4 days, as well as the persistence of the allergoid SLIT efficacy after 12 months.

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Background: The aim of this study was to confirm the clinical efficacy and safety of a preseasonal sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in a group of allergic patients with seasonal rhinoconjunctivitis with or without mild intermittent or mild persistent asthma. The immunotherapy was administered through the oral mucosa with a monomeric carbamylated allergoid (allergoid SLIT) for grass pollens. A secondary endpoint was to evaluate the effect of the allergoid SLIT on nasal reactivity.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study examines the long-term effects of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) for respiratory allergies, comparing it with standard pharmacological therapy (SPT).
  • SLIT showed a positive impact on monthly symptom scores (SMS) for up to 7-8 years post-treatment, especially in patients treated for 4 years.
  • Shorter SLIT durations (1-3 years) had less significant outcomes, particularly in bronchial reactivity and lung function (FEV1).
  • Overall, while SLIT demonstrates some lasting benefits, longer treatment durations yield better results.
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Background: Fungal components can cause allergic symptoms either through inhalation, ingestion or contact. Allergic disease from occupational exposure to Boletus edulis (BE) has only seldom been reported.

Objectives: Report on a female worker who developed respiratory and skin symptoms from occupational exposure to BE in selecting and packing dried mushrooms.

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Background: The clinical efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in mite allergy and in mild disease is still a matter of debate, thus we performed a long-term clinical trial.

Methods: The study was randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled. After a 1-year assessment, 68 patients with mild rhinitis with/without asthma due to mites were randomized to drugs + placebo or drugs + SLIT for 2 years.

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Background: The clinical efficacy and safety of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) for aeroallergens has been demonstrated in several trials, whereas the immunological changes induced by this treatment, which may account for the clinical improvement, are still unclear.

Objective: To investigate the effects of a successful SLIT on the in vitro allergen-driven T cell response and cytokine secretion as well as on the serum levels of chemokines and of IgE, IgG1 and IgG4 antibodies (Abs).

Materials And Methods: Twenty-five Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp)-sensitive patients with perennial rhinitic and/or rhinitic and asthmatic symptoms were randomized into two groups (13 untreated (UT) and 12 SLIT-treated) for a 1 year and half study.

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