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Medical AI Inquiry: You was designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.  Labels: BACKGROUND, OBJECTIVE, METHODS, RESULTS. Meshes: Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Allergens, Case-Control Studies, Child, Cross Reactions, Desensitization, Immunologic, Female, Humans, Immunization, Male, Middle Aged, Pollen, Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal, Risk Factors, Skin Tests.
user
Is pollen specific immunotherapy a risk factor for de novo sensitization to cross-reacting allergens in monosensitized subjects? Context: Some studies have suggested that specific immunotherapy (SIT) may cause de novo sensitization to allergenic proteins to which patients were not previously allergic. This event might theoretically involve cross-reacting pollen allergens, such as profilin or polcalcins, posing a risk of SIT-induced polysensitization to pollens in patients who were originally monosensitized. The aim of this study was to assess whether injection SIT with commercial pollen extract represents a risk factor for the de novo development of sensitization to different pollens in monosensitized patients. The study involved 142 subjects diagnosed as being monosensitized to a single pollen: 64 patients who were administered a 3-year course of injection SIT and 78 controls. Subjects underwent control skin prick tests (SPT) with a series of 8 seasonal airborne allergens at least 3 years after the first visit. Patients with 5 or more new sensitivities on SPT were considered to be de novo polysensitized. At the end of the 3-year follow-up period, the proportion of polysensitized subjects was identical in previously monosensitized patients who underwent SIT and control individuals (11% and 10%, respectively). Individuals who were polysensitized were significantly younger than those who were not (mean age +/- SD, 21.6 +/- 11.0 years vs. 31.6 +/- 15.6 years; P < .05).
assistant
SIT does not represent a risk factor for progression towards multiple pollen sensitization in monosensitized pollen-allergic patients. Final Decision: no