Immunotherapy (Procedure)

This chapter discusses the background, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis for immunotherapy. For immunotherapy, the particular allergens are extracted from source materials such as animal pelt, mold cultures, and pollens. Combinations of the proteins and glycoproteins are mixed in a particular way to formulate a therapeutic immunotherapy solution. In the United States, only subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) is an FDA-approved form of immunotherapy. Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) for grass pollen allergy is approved, and SLIT for many aeroallergens are currently approved in Europe and Canada. Many studies indicate that SLIT seems to be as efficacious as SCIT with fewer adverse effects. Potential adverse effects range from local erythema at the injection site to systemic reactions including rhinitis, respiratory symptoms, and even anaphylaxis. Treatment of local reactions is mainly symptomatic: ice packs, topical corticosteroids, or antihistamines. Systemic reactions can be mild or severe.