Decrease of Specific and Total IgE Levels in Allergic Patients After BCG Vaccination

Abstract

BCG, an effective stimulus for cell-mediated immunity, deserves further study to evaluate its ability to modulate the immune response associated with allergic rhinitis.

Improvement of Clinical Response in Allergic Rhinitis Patients Treated with an Oral Immunostimulating Bacterial Lysate: In Vivo Immunological Effects

“…T cells playa critical role in controlling immune responses and they are involved in the inflammatory processes characteristic of allergic diseases. Based on their cytokine production profile helper, T cells (T h) are generally distinguished into two distinct subsets: ThI cells producing IL-2 and IFN-y and T h2 cells producing IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-I3 (16)(17). Several studies investigated the cytokine mRNA expression and protein production profiles (ThI versus Th2) of T cell clones and of peripheral mononuclear cells of allergic patients (10,(16)(17)(18)(19).…”

“…These studies showed that allergic diseases are often associated with an increased expression of T h2-like cytokine responses. IL-4 is essential for isotype switching toward IgE, while IL-5 together with IL-4 switches antibody response toward IgA (16)(17). On the other hand, ThI cells have a downregulatory role in the production of T h2 cytokines by releasing IFN-y.…”

Single systemic administration of Ag85B of mycobacteria DNA inhibits allergic airway inflammation in a mouse model of asthma

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Specific substance of Maruyama (SSM) suppresses immune responses in atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in DS-Nh mice by modulating dendritic cell functions

“…Recent studies have suggested that the Bacillus ChalmetteGuerin (BCG) vaccine may be useful as an adjuvant for the treatment of allergic diseases [23][24][25][26][27]. Yoneyama et al demonstrated that successful BCG vaccination inhibits the development of AD and asthma in children [27].…”

“…Yoneyama et al demonstrated that successful BCG vaccination inhibits the development of AD and asthma in children [27]. Cavallo et al indicated that the BCG vaccine reduces preexistent Th2 responses in allergic rhinitis patients [23]. Of interest, total IgE levels significantly decrease following BCG vaccination.…”