ORAL IMMUNOTHERAPY WITH GRASS-POLLEN IN ENTEROSOLUBLE CAPSULES - A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY OF THE CLINICAL AND IMMUNOLOGICAL RESPONSE

In a prospective study spanning 2 years, 60 patients with grass pollen allergy were treated with either a low dose oral, a high dose oral or a subcutaneous hyposensitization regime. No significant improvement was seen in the orally treated patients whereas those on the subcutaneous hyposensitization regime demonstrated a decreased specific cutaneous reactivity, a rise in specific IgG antibodies and a reduction in symptoms. This study suggests that oral hyposensitization, even with enterosoluble grass pollen capsules, is ineffective. © 1990 Springer-Verlag.