Aeroallergen immunotherapy associated with reduced risk of severe COVID-19 in 1095 allergic patients.

Introduction: Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) brings along changes in the immune system, restoring dendritic cell function, reducing T2 inflammation and augmenting the regulatory cell activation. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections, interferes with the immune system causing immune suppression during the first phase and over-activation in more advanced disease. We decided to explore the interaction of both in a real-world observational trial. Methods: We registered COVID-19 outcomes in patients with allergic disorders in Latin America, treated with and without AIT. The registry was conducted during the first 1.3 years of the pandemic, with most of the data collected before COVID-19 vaccination was concluded in most countries. Data collection was anonymous via a web-based instrument. Ten countries participated. Results: 630/1095 (57.6%) of the included patients received AIT. Compared to patients without AIT, those treated with AIT had a reduced risk ratio (RR) for COVID-19 lower respiratory symptoms (RR 0.78, 95% CI: 0.6703-0.9024; p = 0.001662) and need for oxygen therapy (RR 0.65, 95% CI: 0.4217-0.9992; p = 0.048). In adherent patients on maintenance sublingual immunotherapy/subcutaneous immunotherapy (SLIT/SCIT) the RR reduction was larger [RR = 0.6136 (95% CI 0.4623-0.8143; p < 0.001) and RR: 0.3495 (95% CI 0.1822-0.6701; p < 0.005), respectively]. SLIT was slightly more effective (NS). We excluded age, comorbidities, level of health care attendance, and type of allergic disorder as confounders, although asthma was related to a higher frequency of severe disease. When analyzing patients with allergic asthma (n = 503) the RR reduction favoring AIT was more pronounced with 30% for lower respiratory symptoms or worse (RR 0.6914, 95% CI 0.5264 to 0.9081, p = 0.0087) and 51% for need of oxygen therapy or worse (RR 0.4868, 95% CI 0.2829-0.8376, p = 0.0082). Among severe allergic patients treated with biologics (n = 24) only 2/24 needed oxygen therapy. There were no critical cases among them. Conclusion: In our registry AIT was associated with reduced COVID-19 severity.

[The effectiveness and safety of subcutaneous immunotherapy for inhalable allergens in patients with respiratory allergies]. / Eficacia y seguridad de la inmunoterapia subcutánea para alérgenos inhalables en pacientes con alergia respiratoria.

BACKGROUND: Specific immunotherapy is a treatment aimed at modifying the course of the allergic disease, with which important immunological and clinical changes are achieved. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness and safety of subcutaneous immunotherapy in patients diagnosed with respiratory allergies in the University Hospital of Puebla, Mexico. METHODS: A longitudinal, analytic, quasi-experimental study. The study was carried out with patients aged four to sixty-five years, diagnosed with allergic rhinitis or asthma, with sensitization to aeroallergens, in whom immunotherapy was started. For the effectiveness assessment, the Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test (CARAT) was used. Safety was assessed through Portnoy's Questionnaire Survey of Adverse Reactions. RESULTS: 59 patients were included: 72.9% were female; 23.7% of them were diagnosed with allergic rhinitis and asthma, and 76.3% were diagnosed with allergic rhinitis. The comparison of averages of the CARAT questionnaire at the beginning of the treatment and after four months of follow up showed a statistically significant positive development. An incidence of adverse local reactions of 9.03% was found; no adverse systemic reactions were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The assessed scheme of subcutaneous immunotherapy got to significantly decrease the asthma symptoms and AR symptoms, with a desirable safety profile.

Antecedentes: La inmunoterapia específica es un tratamiento orientado a modificar el curso de la enfermedad alérgica y con la que se han logrado importantes cambios inmunológicos y clínicos. Objetivo: Evaluar eficacia y seguridad de la inmunoterapia subcutánea en pacientes con diagnóstico de alergia respiratoria en el Hospital Universitario de Puebla, México. Métodos: Estudio longitudinal, analítico, cuasiexperimental. Se incluyeron pacientes de cuatro a 65 años con diagnóstico de asma o rinitis alérgica, con sensibilización a aeroalérgenos, que iniciaron tratamiento con inmunoterapia. Para la valoración de la eficacia se utilizó el cuestionario Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test (CARAT). La seguridad se evaluó mediante el cuestionario de reacciones adversas de Portnoy. Resultados: Se incluyeron 59 pacientes, 72.9 % fueron mujeres; 23.7 % con diagnóstico de rinitis alérgica y asma y 76.3 % con diagnóstico de rinitis alérgica. La comparación de promedios del cuestionario CARAT al inicio del tratamiento y a los cuatro meses de seguimiento mostró evolución favorable estadísticamente significativa. Se encontró una incidencia de reacciones adversas locales de 9.03 %; no se reportaron reacciones adversas sistémicas. Conclusiones: El esquema de inmunoterapia subcutánea evaluado logra disminuir significativamente los síntomas del asma y la rinitis alérgica, con un conveniente perfil de seguridad.

[Sensitivity and specificity of the modified epicutaneous patch test in the diagnosis of respiratory allergy to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus]. / Sensibilidad y especificidad de la prueba epicutánea modificada en el diagnóstico de alergia respiratoria a Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus.

BACKGROUND: The skin prick test is recognized as the gold standard for the specific diagnosis of allergy. OBJECTIVE: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of the epicutaneous patch test that has been modified for the diagnosis of respiratory allergy to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. METHODS: An observational, interpretative, prolective, and transversal study. The included patients were between 6 and 49 years old, with symptoms of a respiratory allergy, and a skin test was performed on them by using the European standardized prick test and a modified epicutaneous patch test with the variable of the scarification that occurred before the antigen was applied, and its homogenization with a wooden applicator, which occurred after the antigen was applied. The levels of sensitivity, specificity, and prevalence influence and positive and negative predictive values were calculated. RESULTS: 104 patients were included, of which 72 (69.2%) were women. The age category of the patients was 24 ± 11.3 years of age. 78.9% of the patients were diagnosed with allergic rhinitis, 1.9% were diagnosed with asthma, and 19.2% were diagnosed with both rhinitis and asthma. The prevalence of the respiratory allergy to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus was of 62.5%; 94.23% with a correct diagnosis. The sensitivity and specificity of the test was of 93.85% and 94.87%; the positive and negative predictive values were of 96.83% and 90.24%, and the positive and negative likelihood ratios were of 18.30 and 0.06. CONCLUSIONS: The modified epicutaneous patch test was highly sensitive and specific; it decreased the risk of allergen carryover and it lowered the cost of the material that was used.

Antecedentes: La prueba por punción cutánea es el estándar de oro en el diagnóstico específico de alergia. Objetivo: Determinar sensibilidad y especificidad de la prueba epicutánea modificada para el diagnóstico de alergia respiratoria a Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. Métodos: Estudio observacional, interpretativo, prolectivo y transversal. Se incluyeron pacientes de seis a 49 años de edad, con cuadro clínico de alergia respiratoria, en quienes se realizó punción cutánea con técnica europea y prueba epicutánea con la variante de escarificación previa a la aplicación del antígeno y posterior homogenización del mismo con aplicador de madera. Se calculó sensibilidad, especificidad, influencia de la prevalencia, valores predictivos positivo y negativo. Resultados: Se incluyeron 104 pacientes, 72 (69.2 %) del sexo femenino. La edad fue de 24 ± 11.3 años, 78.9 % tuvo diagnóstico de rinitis alérgica, 1.9 % de asma y 19.2 % de rinitis y asma. La prevalencia de alergia respiratoria a Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus fue de 62.5 %; 94.23 % estaba correctamente diagnosticado. La sensibilidad y especificidad de la prueba fue de 93.85 y 94.87 %, los valores predictivos positivo y negativo de 96.83 y 90.24 % y los cocientes de probabilidades positivo y negativo de 18.30 y 0.91. Conclusiones: La prueba epicutánea modificada fue altamente sensible y específica, disminuyó el riesgo de contaminación por arrastre de alérgenos y los costos en el material utilizado.