Biomedical subjects

A Pregal

Publications and source records attributed to A Pregal.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1999

Local and systemic immunotherapy in nasal allergy.

Two assays have been done to evaluate the effect of immunotherapy in nasal allergy. First, a trial of nasal immunotherapy and second, the study of mediator release after vaccines. Local immunotherapy, applied directly, triggers different response mechanisms. Specific nasal immunotherapy started before seasonal or perennial symptoms peak, has been done by increasing the doses of allergen three times a week during a 3-month period and a manutention period of a weekly nasal puff of the same allergen. Symptom scores and drug consumption have been registered. The results have been compared with the scores obtained in the same patients over the same period of the same year before immunotherapy. In perennial rhinitis blockage, rhinorrea, sneezing and itching scores all decreased. In seasonal rhinitis, a similar score decrease was obtained for blockage, rhinorrea, sneezing and itching. Pharmacological scores also decreased. These data point to a short-term effect of nasal immunotherapy. Tryptase release has been evaluated in nasal washings after nasal challenge with a Parietaria (Pellitory wall) extract before and after specific systemic immunotherapy, in order to evaluate changes in mast cells reactivity. Eight patients were studied, all allergic to Parietaria. Nasal provocation tests have been done before the season with increasing doses of 10, 100 and 1000 PNU and tryptase assayed in nasal washings at 10, 20 and 30 min after provocation. Immunotherapy decreased tryptase release after nasal challenge. The data point to the effect of systemic specific immunotherapy on mast cell reactivity.

Administration, Intranasal↗

PubMed1998

Short-term efficacy of nasal immunotherapy.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of nasal immunotherapy in the management of allergic rhinitis. Sixteen patients (10 Female; 6 Male) aged 15-60 years (mean age--31.9) were selected on the bases of clinical history, skin prick tests and RAST positivity. Allergen extract is a "macronized" powder form (Allerkin), it was supplied by Laboratorio Farmaceutico Lofarma (Milano Italy) and administered for 12 months to 8 patients with perennial rhinitis (Dermatophagoides extract) and for 6 months to 8 patients with seasonal rhinitis (grass or Parietaria pollens extract). This treatment was carried out by self administration in two phases: the first one (3 months) consisted of administration of increasing doses; the second phase (maintenance period) was carried out 3 months in seasonal rhinitis and 9 months in perennial rhinitis. All the patients were evaluated before and after immunotherapy and scores from 0 to 3 were attributed according to the symptoms presented and need of drugs for symptomatic relief. Scores before and after immunotherapy were compared using the Wilcoxon Matched-Pairs Signed-Ranks Test and a significant decrease was observed for every symptom in seasonal and perennial rhinitis (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this trial shows that nasal immunotherapy in powder form can be a valuable short-term option in patients with allergic rhinitis.

Administration, Intranasal↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Nasal provocation and immunotherapy.

Nasal mucosa is heavily exposed to inflammatory and allergic stimuli, rhinitis being the most common form of allergic respiratory disease. The nose is an easily accessible organ and a good model for the study of allergies as it makes it possible to monitor the effects of specific challenges as well as therapeutic interventions, namely specific immunotherapy (SIT). Injectable, nasal or sublingual SIT are useful therapeutic strategies in the management of allergic rhinitis patients. Monitoring the evolution of parameters such as clinical scores, nasal peak flow variation or drug requirements during SIT provides important information on its clinical efficacy. Laboratory measurement of tryptase and eosinophil cationic protein in the target organ after specific nasal provocation makes it possible to record changes in the release of mast cell and eosinophil mediators, thus providing objective evidence of the immunological efficacy of this therapy on these cell populations and providing data which eventually will contribute to a better understanding of the multiple mechanisms of action of allergen desensitization therapy.

Asthma↗