Seasonal Administration of Omalizumab in Patients With Uncontrolled Asthma and Sensitization to Olive Pollen.

Abstract

Sensitization to olive pollen leads to the development of asthma. In areas with high pollen counts, such as the southern Mediterranean, sensitization to Ole e 7 leads to more severe asthma. In Cordoba, olive and grasses are major sources of pollen, causing rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma during the spring season. Only olive pollen reaches extreme counts (>20 000 grains/m3/y). Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is indicated when sensitization is clinically relevant and pharmacologic control of asthma is not satisfactory. When sensitization to Ole e 7 is single or predominant, AIT is associated with a higher incidence of adverse reactions. Moreover, poor control of minor allergens in most extracts constitutes an additional difficulty. Therefore, AIT could be inappropriate for patients predominantly sensitized to Ole e 7. Omalizumab has been widely used to treat severe perennial allergic asthma. However, few data are available on severe asthma due to pollen sensitization. The aim of this study was to analyze the results of a pilot seasonal treatment with omalizumab under conditions of daily clinical practice in patients with uncontrolled seasonal asthma, strong sensitization to minor olive allergens, and exposure to high pollen counts.