BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of sublingual administration of Dermatophagoides farinae drops for the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR) accompanied by adenoid hypertrophy and the effect on immune function in children.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eosinophil counts in peripheral blood before and after treatment were determined; serum levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE), total IgE (T-IgE), immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) before and after treatment were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS: The total effective rate in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). In both the study and control groups, symptom scores, medication scores, eosinophil counts in the peripheral blood, and serum levels of IgE, T-IgE, and IL-6 were significantly lower than those before treatment (P<0.05), while the serum levels of IgG4 and IL-2 were significantly higher than those before treatment (P<0.05). After treatment, symptom scores, medication scores, eosinophil counts in the peripheral blood, and serum levels of IgE, T-IgE, and IL-6 in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05), while the serum levels of IgG4 and IL-2 were significantly higher in the study group than those in the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Sublingual administration of D. farinae drops improved the clinical symptoms of pediatric AR caused by Dermatophagoides mites and improved the immune functions in children.

Keywords: Adenoids, Dermatophagoides farinae, Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal, Administration, Sublingual, Asthma, Child, Child, Preschool, Desensitization, Immunologic, Eosinophils, Immunoglobulin E, Immunoglobulin G, Interleukin-2, Interleukin-6, Rhinitis, Allergic, sublingual immunotherapy