Management of polysensitized patient: from molecular diagnostics to biomolecular immunotherapy

Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 2015;11(9):973-6. doi: 10.1586/1744666X.2015.1062365. Epub 2015 Jul 4.

Abstract

A panel of Italian allergists gathered to discuss the issue concerning the management of polysensitized patients. The main conclusions were as follows: polysensitization is a relevant clinical characteristic as it affects about 70-80% of the global allergic population; the diagnostic pathway needs the use of an adequate and thorough methodology, based on the demonstration of consistency between history and documented sensitization; polysensitization and polyallergy are not synonymous: true allergy should always be demonstrated; polysensitization does not constitute a limitation to allergen immunotherapy prescription, as 1-2 allergen extracts could be effective in polysensitized patients; the allergen immunotherapy product characteristics should include the following: high efficacy and optimal safety profile, standardized production, and documented presence and titration of the major allergen.

Keywords: allergy; immunotherapy; management; molecular allergens; polysensitization.

MeSH terms

  • Allergens / immunology*
  • Desensitization, Immunologic / methods*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / diagnosis
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Hypersensitivity / therapy
  • Multiple Chemical Sensitivity / diagnosis
  • Multiple Chemical Sensitivity / immunology*
  • Multiple Chemical Sensitivity / therapy*
  • Quality of Life
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Allergens