The evaluated os specific immunotherapy in children monosensitized to Alternaria with asthma and/or rhinitis

Purpose: The aim of the present study was evaluated the effect of specific immunotherapy in children monosensitized to Alternaria with asthma and/or rhinitis.Material and method: We studied 16 patients with rhinitis, bronchial asthma, or both caused by Alternaria. The patients were separeted to two groups. Nineteen of 16 cases received immunotherapy (group I), 7 of 16 cases (group II) did not receive immunotherapy. Before starting the study and 12 months after, the following parameters were checked: skin prick test, ECP and tryptase in sputum, nasal secretion and serum, sputum and nasal lavage cell counts, Alternaria specific IgE level, methacholine and allergen bronchial provacation test, allergen- specific nasal challenge test, skin prick test, pulmonary function test and variation in PEF, visuel analog score, quality of life questionnaire, symptom score, and medication score.Results: Between groups I and II the initial skin prick test reactivity did not differed (p=0,06), however at the end of first year there was statistical difference in favor of group I (p=0,001). In groups I and II There was statistical differenced between Alternaria and methacholine bronchial provacation tests reactivity at the end of the first year (p=0,006, p=0,03, respectively). Between groups I and II the initial serum specific IgE levels did not differed (p=0,87), however at the end of first year there was statistical difference in favor of group I (p=0,001). In group I there was statistical differenced between sputum eosinophil counts in after provocation test at the end of the first year (p=0,008), there were no significant changes in sputum eosinophil counts in the group II in any phase.Conclusion: We recorded significant changes in skin reactivity, visuel analog score, bronchial reactivity, pulmonary function test, and the in vitro parameters (serum specific IgE, total IgE, serum tryptase, nasal ECP levels, and sputum eosinophil counts) in favor of group I for a year. We conclude that the antigenic material used here was suitable for A. alternata immunothrapy.Key words: Allergen specific immunotherapy, Alternaria alternata, childhood, mold allergy.