Evaluation and validation of a bee venom sting challenge performed by a micro-syringe.

Background: The honeybee sting challenge is considered a reliable procedure to evaluate the efficacy of specific immunotherapy, but it is difficult and unpractical to perform in clinical practice, because live insects are required.

Objective: To assess the feasibility and reliability of a challenge test using a micro-syringe, and compared the procedure with sting challenge.

Methods: Patients on bee venom immunotherapy and without systemic reactions at field sting were enrolled.

Improvement of shrimp allergy after sublingual immunotherapy for house dust mites: a case report.

The appropriateness of house dust mite specific immunotherapy in patients allergic to shrimps still remains unclear We present a clinical case as an immunological model for the strong sensitization to tropomyosin with symptoms of anaphylaxis due to shrimps and coexisting asthma due to house dust mite. The improvement in respiratory symptoms for house dust mite and in the food challenge for shrimps during mite immunotherapy with a known and high dosage of tropomyosin suggests the hypothesis that efficacy of mite immunotherapy in food allergy to tropomyosin may be dose dependent.

Sublingual immunotherapy for Alternaria-induced allergic rhinitis: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Respiratory allergy due to Alternaria is a relevant clinical problem, and specific immunotherapy may represent a viable treatment option. Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is safe and effective, but data for Alternaria are lacking.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of standardized SLIT in patients sensitized to Alternaria in a randomized, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Long-lasting effects of sublingual immunotherapy according to its duration: a 15-year prospective study.

Background: Data on the long-term effects of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) are sparse, and the optimal duration of treatment is a matter of debate.

Objective: We sought to prospectively evaluate the long-term effect of SLIT given for 3, 4, or 5 years and to compare the effect of those different durations.

Methods: In this prospective open controlled study we followed up patients with respiratory allergy who were monosensitized to mites for 15 years.

Randomized open comparison of montelukast and sublingual immunotherapy as add-on treatment in moderate persistent asthma due to birch pollen.

Background: No studies have directly compared the effects of immunotherapy and antileukotrienes due to the long time required to appreciate the clinical effects of immunotherapy. We compared the effect of montelukast (MK) and SLIT added to standard therapy in moderate asthma over 5 years.

Methods: Open randomized controlled trial.