Biomaterial Database

Treatment of asthmatic patients sensitive to mites (Dermatophagoides farinae); a four-year study of immunotherapy with an extract of Dermatophagoides farinae. 1981

J C Chu, and T H Wun, and X J Chen

Dermatophagoides farinae (D.F.) is considered by many to be one of the main allergens in house dust. The present report is a four-year study with an extract of D.F. in 518 patients with extrinsic asthma. The extract was clinically effective in 315 out of 474 patients (66.5%) after the first course of therapy (20 weeks). It was even better (P less than 0.001) after more than two courses (76.5%). About 10% of the patients become almost entirely asymptomatic. The individuals whose skin reactions decreased after treatment showed the best results (P less than 0.05). After therapy the skin reaction and degranulation of mast cells were inhibited. Side effects were mild and transient. The results suggest that immunotherapy with D. farinae might be an acceptable measure of treatment for many patients with extrinsic asthma.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007167	Immunotherapy	Manipulation of the host's immune system in treatment of disease. It includes both active and passive immunization as well as immunosuppressive therapy to prevent graft rejection.	Immunotherapies
D008407	Mast Cells	Granulated cells that are found in almost all tissues, most abundantly in the skin and the gastrointestinal tract. Like the BASOPHILS, mast cells contain large amounts of HISTAMINE and HEPARIN. Unlike basophils, mast cells normally remain in the tissues and do not circulate in the blood. Mast cells, derived from the bone marrow stem cells, are regulated by the STEM CELL FACTOR.	Basophils, Tissue,Basophil, Tissue,Cell, Mast,Cells, Mast,Mast Cell,Tissue Basophil,Tissue Basophils
D008925	Mites	Any arthropod of the subclass ACARI except the TICKS. They are minute animals related to the spiders, usually having transparent or semitransparent bodies. They may be parasitic on humans and domestic animals, producing various irritations of the skin (MITE INFESTATIONS). Many mite species are important to human and veterinary medicine as both parasite and vector. Mites also infest plants.	Acarus,Mite
D003594	Cytoplasmic Granules	Condensed areas of cellular material that may be bounded by a membrane.	Cytoplasmic Granule,Granule, Cytoplasmic,Granules, Cytoplasmic
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000906	Antibodies	Immunoglobulin molecules having a specific amino acid sequence by virtue of which they interact only with the ANTIGEN (or a very similar shape) that induced their synthesis in cells of the lymphoid series (especially PLASMA CELLS).
D001249	Asthma	A form of bronchial disorder with three distinct components: airway hyper-responsiveness (RESPIRATORY HYPERSENSITIVITY), airway INFLAMMATION, and intermittent AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION. It is characterized by spasmodic contraction of airway smooth muscle, WHEEZING, and dyspnea (DYSPNEA, PAROXYSMAL).	Asthma, Bronchial,Bronchial Asthma,Asthmas
D001667	Binding, Competitive	The interaction of two or more substrates or ligands with the same binding site. The displacement of one by the other is used in quantitative and selective affinity measurements.	Competitive Binding
D012882	Skin Tests	Epicutaneous or intradermal application of a sensitizer for demonstration of either delayed or immediate hypersensitivity. Used in diagnosis of hypersensitivity or as a test for cellular immunity.	Skin Test,Test, Skin,Tests, Skin