Immunotherapy and Immunomodulation Efficacy of Long-term Sublingual Immunotherapy as an Adjunct to Pharmacotherapy in House Dust Mite-Allergic Children With Asthma

METHODS. Participants were randomly assigned to treatment for 3 years with dust mite SLIT plus standard pharmacotherapy or pharmacotherapy alone. The prescribed SLIT solution consisted of 50% Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and 50% Dermatophagoides farinae. Doses were increased gradually to a maintenance dose, which was taken 2 times per week. All participants were initially started on 800 g/day of inhaled budesonide. Follow-up visits were performed every 2 to 3 months, at which times the inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) dose was decreased until either it was discontinued or the minimum dose allowing for control of symptoms was reached. Pulmonary-function testing was performed at each visit. Skin-prick testing to 15 aeroallergens and a serum total immunoglobulin E measurement were performed annually.