Allergen-specific immunotherapy: history, methods and new options
Today, allergy can easily be called a disease of the XXI century. Patients are increasingly complaining about various forms of allergy. Allergy symptoms are varied and diverse, as are the ways of treatment of allergic diseases. According to the statistics from the Institute of Immunology of FMBA, Russia, from 17 to 35% of Russia's population are suffering from various forms of allergy. According to the official statistics, however, the figure varies between 1 and 1.5% [1, 2, 3]. The GA2LEN study held in 2009 found that of the total 550 respondents, 39 had bronchial asthma, while another 84 people could have asthma. Sinusitis was found in 121 people, and sinusitis concurrent with asthma in 56 [2, 3, 4]. Late diagnosis, treatment and prevention of allergic diseases, therefore, remains a major challenge.