Ambrosia nAmb a 1, IgG4 (allergen specific immunotherapy monitoring)
Allergy to meadow grass pollen is widespread, especially in our northern and central regions of the country. In some regions the figures are as high as 40%. Plant pollen has the peculiarity of being carried long distances by the wind, affecting patients who are far from the source of pollination.
The most common manifestations of polynosis include the following symptoms:
- runny nose
- nasal congestion
- sneezing fits
- itchy nose
- conjunctivitis (red eyes, sensation of sand in the eyes, itching).
Without timely treatment, allergic rhinitis can develop into bronchial asthma if prolonged.
Symptoms of allergic asthma
- difficulty breathing
- choking attacks
- dry cough
- shortness of breath
- wheezing
According to WHO statistics, one in three people suffer from allergies. If you are one of these people, don't despair! Allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) or "Allergy Vaccine" will help you forget about allergies.
Pills and capsules, drops and sprays only mask allergy symptoms temporarily.
ASIT actually eliminates the disease! It is currently the only treatment for IgE-mediated allergic diseases that has a lasting effect on clinical manifestations and worsens the course of the disease.
The main advantages of ASIT are:
- significantly reduces allergy symptoms up to their complete disappearance;
- eliminates the need for regular allergy medication;
- helps to avoid subsequent sensitization, prevents rhinitis from turning into asthma.
The main mechanism of action of ASIT is the induction of antibodies that compete with IgE, thus preventing the development of a reaction to the allergen. These blocking competing antibodies usually belong to the IgG4 group. Thus, the level of specific IgG4 increases during ASIT treatment.
So how do you know if ASIT is working or not?
Molecular allergy diagnostics will help us answer this question again. But only not with the determination of IgE, but with the determination of specific IgG4 to the allergen to which ASIT is performed by the ImmunoCAP method. The absence of an increase in the concentration of specific IgG4 to those allergen molecules to which the therapy is being performed indicates either an unresponsiveness of the immune system to the drug or the absence of specific components of the allergen in the drug used for treatment.
Thus, the finding of inadequate induction of a protective immune response by vaccination will help to decide whether ASIT should be continued, modified - for example, with a vaccine from another manufacturer - or discontinued.