Allergen extract as allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) is the only causative therapy and provides protection or tolerance to an allergen in the long term. However, allergen extracts from different countries may have different effectiveness. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Indonesian shrimp allergen extract (SAE) as an immunotherapy agent with a mouse model of allergies in the gastrointestinal tract. Mice were divided into five groups consisting of the naïve group, allergic group, and the allergic group received SAE immunotherapy at high dose (100µg/week), moderate dose (50µg/week), and low dose (10µg/week). Each group received treatment in the sensitization and desensitization phases, which was then followed by an oral challenge of SAE 100µg. The effectiveness of SAE immunotherapy was assessed based on the parameters of systemic allergic symptoms, IL-10 mRNA expression in ileum tissue, and IgG2a serum concentration. We found that SAE immunotherapy decreased the systemic allergic symptoms score, regardless of dosage, and the effect persisted on the third challenge. IgG2a as a parameter of humoral immunity showed a significant increase in the high-dose immunotherapy group, and IL-10mRNA expression as a parameter of cellular immunity also showed an increase in the high-dose group. Both data showed a dose-dependent manner. It can be concluded that SAE has excellent effectiveness as an immunotherapy agent and dose-dependent characteristics.

Pandemi COVID-19 masih berlangsung dan telah menimbulkan disrupsi besar pada berbagai sektor kehidupan. Tindakan pencegahan terus digencarkan melalui penerapan protokol kesehatan dan menjadi kunci dalam mengendalikan wabah COVID-19. Masyarakat desa dimungkinkan memiliki karakteristik khas sehubungan dengan penerapan protokol kesehatan. Studi ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui faktor demografi yang mempengaruhi pengetahuan dan tingkat kepatuhan masyarakat terhadap protokol kesehatan. Dilakukan studi cross-sectional dengan cara survei kepada masyarakat Desa Padang Rindu dengan kriteria inklusi: berdomisili pada Desa Padang Rindu, Propinsi Lampung, mampu membaca dan menulis, serta bersedia menjadi responden survei dengan usia ≥18 tahun atau <18 tahun dengan persetujuan wali. Responden didapatkan dengan cara accidental dan snowball sampling. Pengolahan data secara deskriptif dan inferensial antara faktor demografi terhadap pengetahuan dan kepatuhan protokol kesehatan dilakukan dengan menggunakan uji statistik yang sesuai dengan jenis dan normalitas data yang diperoleh. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa sebagian besar responden memiliki tingkat pengetahuan cukup baik (n=44;50%) dan kepatuhan protokol kesehatan yang baik. Tidak terdapat hubungan signifikan ditunjukkan antara faktor demografi dengan pengetahuan dan praktik protokol kesehatan (p >0,05). Pengetahuan tidak memiliki hubungan dengan praktik protokol kesehatan (p >0,05). Hasil uji beda menunjukkan tidak ada perbedaan skor pengetahuan dan kepatuhan praktik protokol kesehatan berdasarkan faktor demografi (p >0,05). Pengetahuan yang cukup baik, tingkat kepatuhan protokol kesehatan yang baik, serta penerapan gaya hidup sehat yang telah dilakukan oleh mayoritas responden menunjukkan partisipasi aktif masyarakat dalam memutus rantai penyebaran COVID-19.

Background and Aim: Perennial allergic rhinitis (AR) is a chronic upper respiratory disease, with inflammation mediated by immunoglobulin E in the nasal mucosa caused by house dust mites. Recently, allergen immunotherapy showed promising allergic healing in patients with a definite history of sensitization. Based on this finding, a product was developed using Indonesian house dust mite (IHDM). This study aimed to optimize the allergenic rhinitis mouse model that was generated using IHDM to test the in vivo sensitivity and safety of this product. Materials and Methods: Seven groups of mice were used for effectiveness testing – normal, negative control with IHDM challenge, positive control with 0.1% histamine challenge, and AR group by both IHDM-induced sensitization at 12.5, 50, 250, or 500 μg and IHDM challenge. Mice were sensitized by intraperitoneal administration of IHDM once a week for 3 consecutive weeks. Thereafter, the challenge was given intranasally 5 times on alternate days. The number of nose rubbing and sneezing was noted. Eosinophil infiltration was assessed histologically using hematoxylin and eosin staining. The expression of interleukin-5 (IL-5) mRNA in the nasal mucosa was determined using semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Results: The induction of AR with IHDM significantly increased the number of nose rubbing and sneezing in the mouse model. Eosinophil infiltration was observed in the nasal mucosa; however, no significant change occurred in the expression of IL-5 mRNA. Conclusion: Overall, these data indicate that IHDM allergenic extract could be an effective sensitizing agent in a mouse model of AR. Although the use of IHDM is a limitation of this study because other sources of house dust mites might have different effects, this study provides a proper model for immunotherapy effectivity testing for in vivo pre-clinical studies.