Efficacy of mite allergen immunotherapy in allergic rhinitis and the immune synergistic effect on cross-allergens

Aim: To compare the efficacy of single- and double-species mite allergen immunotherapy. Materials and methods: An open, pseudo-randomized, controlled study was conducted (n = 125 allergic rhinitis patients). The primary end point involved the visual analogue scale. Secondary end points included a basophil activation test and serum specific IgE and IgG4 assays. Results: Visual analogue scale analysis indicated considerable reductions in both groups. Both treatments improved quality of life and induced sIgG4 antibody production. Basophil activation and serum IgE inhibition were not evident in either treatment. Neither treatment displayed an early stage immune synergistic effect on cross-allergens. Conclusions: Both treatments were effective against allergic rhinitis, and statistical differences were not observed. Future studies may require long-term, large-scale research.Lay abstract This study is relevant because the worldwide prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) is increasing. Although previous studies have confirmed the efficacy of subcutaneous immunotherapy comprising a single allergen over that comprising a mixed allergen for AR treatment, the clinical efficacy of these allergen immunotherapies (AITs) has not been compared via a well-designed study. Thus, the findings of this study could considerably contribute to the knowledge in this area. The current study compared the efficacy of single-mite AIT (SM-AIT) with that of double-mite AIT (DM-AIT) in AR. Both standardized SM-AIT and DM-AIT improved quality of life. Both standardized SM-AIT and DM-AIT were effective against AR.