Pilot Study of Allergy Immunotherapy and Prevention of Viral Respiratory Infections

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The objective of this study is to determine whether there is a relationship between interferon-gamma levels and the incidence of viral respiratory infections in allergic children treated with allergy immunotherapy as compared to those treated with standard medical care (nasal steroids, antihistamines) over a 1-year period. The hypotheses to be tested are 1) interferon-gamma levels will be significantly increased 3, 6, 9 and 12 months in allergic children treated with allergy immunotherapy as compared to those treated with standard medical care, 2) the incidence of viral respiratory infections will be reduced at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months in allergic children treated with allergy immunotherapy as compared to those treated with standard medical care.

Detailed Description
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This study will consist of five visits. Visit 1 will occur after subjects complete an initial clinical evaluation for allergy at this site. Subjects will select their treatment (allergy immunotherapy as compared to standard medical care) prior to enrollment in this study. Visit 1 will include informed consent, review of inclusion and exclusion criteria and phlebotomy for the determination of serum interferon-gamma levels. At the end of this visit, diary cards to capture the frequency of symptoms of viral respiratory infections will be distributed. Visits 2-5 will occur 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after visit 1 and will include review/exchange of diary cards, and phlebotomy for determination of serial serum interferon-gamma levels.

Official Title
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Pilot Study of Allergy Immunotherapy and Prevention of Viral Respiratory Infections

Conditions
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Allergy, Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis, Perennial Allergic Rhinitis

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Age 6-18 years of age History of allergic rhinitis as confirmed by previous allergy skin testing conducted within the past year Subjects assigned to the allergy immunotherapy must be prescribed therapy according to national recommendations using FDA-approved allergy extracts supplied by Greer Laboratories Exclusion Criteria: Concurrent difficult to control asthma or an underlying immune deficiency

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 6 Years
Maximum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Immunotherapy<br>Patients starting immunotherapy | |
| Non-immunotherapy<br>Patients being treated using methods other than immunotherapy | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Allergy, Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis, Perennial Allergic Rhinitis