According to our data, SIT may prevent the onset of new sensitizations in children with respiratory symptoms monosensitized to house dust mite (HDM).

Our results suggest that treatment for 2 years with SLIT is clinically safe and effective in significantly decreasing respiratory symptoms in children with mild to moderate asthma sensitized to HDM. On the other hand, the lack of changes of the immunologic parameters calls for further investigations with special reference to kinetics and mechanism(s) of action of this mode of treatment.

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SummaryBackground Immunotherapy is a recognized treatment for allergic respiratory diseases. Objective To study the usefulness of immunotherapy in combination with optimal pharmacological therapy. Methods Thirty-eight children (8-14 years) suffering from seasonal asthma7rhinoconjunctivitis due to Parietaria poorly controlled by anti-allergic drugs treatment were selected. After randomization according to a double-blind placebo-controlled design they received active sublingual immunotherapy (15 children) or placebo (15 children) for 13 months combined with inhaled fluticasone twice a day during the pollen season. Eight children were taken as control, whereas all patients were instructed to take symptomatic drugs on need. Early and late skin response to the allergen were assessed in all patients before and after treatment. Drug and symptom scores, as well as visual analogue scores (VASs) and Parietaria pollen counts were assessed during the pollen season. Results Groups were well balanced for age, gender, early and late skin response before treatment. Four children dropped out, in one case in relationship with active sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) administration. Chest and nose symptoms, as well as drug scores and VASs were significantly better in both the active or placebo SLIT1fluticasone (S1F) as compared to the control group (P between o0.001 and 0.043). Eye symptoms were significantly better in the active S1F group as compared to