Sublingual Immunotherapy in Allergic Rhinitis: Search for a Suitable Biomarker Continues!

Excerpt

Allergic rhinitis (AR) in children is a common problem that has increased over past several decades and is frequently associated with asthma. It is due to dysregulation of immune system causing increase in inflammation and formation of specific IgE antibodies against several otherwise harmless environmental allergen/s. Among various allergens, house dust mite seems to be most common allergen for allergic rhinitis in children. Symptomatic treatment with antihistaminics (oral or nasal) and/or nasal corticosteroids is sufficient in majority of cases of AR in children. A subset of children with severe AR not responding to this conventional therapy may be benefitted by allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) by subcutaneous (SCIT) or sublingual (SLIT) route, the latter being increasingly used recently [1]. The guidelines have been developed for effective use of AIT in children [2]. …