Lack of de novo sensitization to tropomyosin in a group of mite-allergic patients treated by house dust mite-specific immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND

There is some evidence that specific immunotherapy may induce de novo sensitization to proteins contained in the allergen extract. This raises the possibility that the novel sensitization to cross-reacting allergens may cause food allergies.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess whether injection of mite-specific immunotherapy (SIT) may induce sensitization to shrimp tropomyosin.

METHODS

Seventy mite-allergic subjects who did not show any shrimp sensitization at baseline were followed up for at least 3 years. Thirty-one of them underwent a 3-year SIT course, 39 served as controls. At the follow-up visit, SPTs with both fresh shrimp and commercial extract were performed, and patients underwent an open oral challenge with shrimp.

RESULTS

Neither patient nor control had become sensitized to shrimp allergens at the end of the study period. Both patients and controls reported the regular intake of crustaceans and/or molluscs.

CONCLUSION

Injection SIT with house dust mite extracts does not seem to induce de novo tropomyosin sensitization in mite-allergic patients.