OBJECTIVE:
Is to test the efficacy and safety of a novel oral immunotherapy (OIT) protocol for peanut allergy.
METHOD:
In the study concerned, Forty peanut-allergic children (mean age 10 years) had oral allergen preparation. This was administered with serial rising titers and dosing at about 2 weekly to 850 mg peanut protein. There was maintenance of 28 weeks.
RESULTS:
All children had positive challenges. Of the total, 30 had tolerated the rising concentration of the titer. 2 of the total then dropped out, while 4 out of the total had tolerated the rising concentration of the allergenic material containing 250mg -500 mg. Some 30 out of 40 tolerated higher dosing and maintenance at 850 mg protein/day.
Two had some severe degree of allergenic reaction mandating the administration of adrenaline, whereas the rest had mild allergic reaction that subsided without resorting to adrenaline solution. Twelve with pre-immunotherapy peanut IgE over 28.3 kU/L required no dose adjustment compared with 7 with pre-immunotherapy peanut IgE level almost 27. kU/L. Eighteen of the 40 mandated a slight dose reduction as the reactions possibly linked to factors, such as exertion, infection and fatigue ability . However after 7 weeks, 25 out of 40 individuals had no reaction to a 2.7 g protein challenge.
CONCLUSIONS
This study with serial dilution and dose increments has been followed with better outcome than the former trials. A higher fold such as 1000 and over in the amount of peanuts is tolerated with excellent safety profiles. Except a few cases there was no serious adverse effects observed in the rest of individuals.