A review of allergen‐specific immunotherapy in human and veterinary medicine

Abstract

This article reviews allergen-specific immunotherapy in human and veterinary medicine. Current hypotheses of possible mechanisms of actions are outlined. Indications, success rates, adverse effects and factors influencing outcome of therapy are discussed in humans, dogs, cats and horses.

Preliminary evaluation of cytosine‐phosphate‐guanine oligodeoxynucleotides bound to gelatine nanoparticles as immunotherapy for canine atopic dermatitis

“…Studies evaluating the efficiency of AIT found that 52–65 per cent of the treated dogs show a clinical improvement of at least 50 per cent (Zur and others 2002, Schnabl and others 2006, Loewenstein and Mueller 2009). In a prospective blinded study evaluating AIT, improvement of CADESI scores and pruritus of at least 50 per cent was reported in 7/11 dogs (64 per cent) and in 5/11 dogs (45 per cent), respectively (Mueller and others 2004).…”

“…Systemic reactions have been reported in approximately 1 per cent of the treated dogs (Angorano and MacDonald 1991). They include not only gastrointestinal signs, but also weakness, anxiety, urticaria/angio-oedema and severe reactions such as collapse and anaphylaxis (Rosser 1998, Scott and others 2001, Loewenstein and Mueller 2009). None of the latter ones could be observed in the present study.…”

“…Furthermore, there is a subset of dogs not showing positive test reactions excluding them from this treatment option (Pucheu-Haston and others 2015a). In addition, it may take several months before clinical improvement is seen and up to half of the patients may fail to respond to AIT (Zur and others 2002, Loewenstein and Mueller 2009). Thus, an efficacious immunomodulation of AD that does not require allergen identification would be desirable.…”

Efficacy of dimetinden and hydroxyzine/chlorpheniramine in atopic dogs: a randomised, controlled, double‐blinded trial

“…Avoidance of offending allergens is often not possible in this disease. Allergen-specific immunotherapy takes months to optimal effect (Mueller and Bettenay 1996), and in many cases will still require additional symptomatic therapy (Loewenstein and Mueller 2009). As atopic dermatitis typically requires life-long management, treatments with infrequent and mild clinical adverse effects are preferred.…”

“…The only specific treatment for atopic dermatitis is allergen-specific immunotherapy (Mueller and Bettenay 1996, Olivry and Sousa 2001a, Loewenstein and Mueller 2009). Symptomatic treatment includes a number of options, such as glucocorticoids (Olivry and Sousa 2001b), cyclosporine (Steffan and others 2006), shampoos (Löflath and others 2007), essential fatty acids (Mueller and others 2004, Olivry and others 2010a, b) and antihistamines (DeBoer and Griffin 2001, Olivry and Mueller 2003).…”