Determination of immunological stress and oxygen free radical formation in white blood cells during allergen immunotherapy.

Background: Airway inflammation represents the basis of respiratory allergic disease and is generally associated with increased oxidative stress. As a consequence of successful treatment leading to hyposenzibilization and remission of symptoms, decrease of reactive oxygen formation is expected.

Material/methods: This preliminary study evaluates the production of oxygen free radicals in white blood cells and changes in basic immunological parameters in a cohort of 50 patients (27 females and 23 males, age 14-48 years) with upper airway allergic inflammation caused by pollens, before and during specific immunotherapy.