Specific immunotherapy in stinging nettle pollen allergy

Specific immunotherapy (SIT) is the only causal therapy for IgE-mediated al lergic reactions. For more than 80 years it has been used successfully in t reatment of respiratory allergy or sensitivity to hymenoptera venom. Before all success of SIT depends on the choice of the relevant allergen and on a n early start in the course of the disease. Because of this, SIT can also t ryed in less common pollen allergy providing the allergen is known and stan dardizable. For a good efficacy only physicians trained in allergology shou ld prescribe the vaccine for SIT. We reported a 39 year old caucasian women suffering from rhinoconjunctivitis since the 13th year of life. Previously she had specific immunotherapy with an extract of 100% grass- and grain-po llens without success. Repeated allergological tests showed a sensitivity t o alternaria and stinging nettle (urtica dioica). The specific nasal provoc ation confirmed the sensitivity to stinging nettle and preasaisonal SIT wit h this allergen resulted in a marked improvement in symptoms. We conclude t hat in certain cases sensitivity to rare inhalation allergens can be of imp ortance and their correct identification is of critical significance for th e therapeutic success. Results of RAST-Inhibition between various Urticacea e and grassmixture showed in addition to expected inhibition of all Urticac eae through Urtica-dioica-extract an inhibition of grassspecific IgE throug h Urtica-dioica-extract.