To investigate the influence and lag effect of atmospheric pollen concentration on daily visits of patients with allergic rhinitis (AR), we collected the AR data during the pollen seasons from 2018 to 2019 from the outpatient and emergency department of Beijing Shijitan Hospital. The distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM) was used to analyze the correlation and the lag effect between pollen concentration and the incidence of AR. R4.1.2 was used to generate the Spearman correlation coefficients and plot the lag response curves of relative risk specific and incremental cumulative effects. In 2018 and 2019, the number of AR visits was moderately positively correlated with pollen concentration. The peak value of the overall specific cumulative effect for every 10 grains/1000 mm 2 increase in atmospheric pollen concentration occurred on day 0 (2018, 2019), and the lag disappearance time was day 6 (2018) and day 7 (2019), and the specific cumulative effect duration was respectively 6 days (2018) and 7 days (2019), with the curve showing a downward trend with time increase. In 2018, the peak value of the overall incremental cumulative effect was on day 7, the lag disappearance time was day 13, and the duration of the incremental cumulative effect was 13 days, forming a curve pattern of rising first and then falling. In 2019, the peak value time of the overall incremental cumulative effect was on day 8, and the curve went down afterwards until it showed the trend of ascending again after day26.

The prevalence of allergic rhinitis（AR）is increasing year by year, which seriously affects the quality of life of patients and causes a heavy burden of social diseases. At present, the diagnosis methods focus on clinical manifestations and allergen detection, but there is no accurate detection method for early diagnosis and prognosis of the disease. With the rapid development of proteomics technology and its wide application in disease research, there is a rapid, sensitive and high-throughput technology platform for the diagnosis and treatment of allergic rhinitis, which provides a platform for the early detection, therapeutic targets and prognosis of the disease. This article reviews the progress of AR in proteomics.

目的 观察特异性免疫治疗对伴变应性鼻炎(尘螨为主要变应原)的慢性鼻窦炎的疗效.方法 收集首都医科大学附属北京世纪坛医院2014—2016年收治的伴变应性鼻炎的慢性鼻窦炎患者63例,治疗时间大于12个月者为Ⅰ组,小于12个月者为Ⅱ组,在特异性免疫治疗前后采用鼻腔鼻窦结局测试-22量表(sino-nasal outcome test-22,SNOT-22)进行疗效评价.结果 Ⅰ组治疗后较治疗前症状评分有显著改善(P<0.05);Ⅱ组治疗前后评分差异无显著性(P>0.05).特异性免疫治疗时间与SNOT-22评分有相关性(r=0.547,P<0.05),治疗12个月后评分较治疗前有好转,24个月后疗效显著,其后症状趋于稳定.结论 特异性免疫治疗可改善伴变应性鼻炎患者的慢性鼻窦炎症状,提高生活质量.

BACKGROUND:Parathyroid adenoma (PA) sometimes recurs after surgery, how to improve the surgical success rate of PA is the key to the treatment of this disease.AIM:To investigate the clinical features, diagnosis, and surgical treatment of patients with PA.METHODS:Patients who were pathologically confirmed with PA and had undergone surgery for the first time between January 2010 and December 2017 at the Beijing Shijitan Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University were included in the study. The clinical features, localization diagnosis, and surgical treatment of these patients were analyzed.RESULTS:Of the 140 patients, 32 were male and 108 were female; 132 cases had one adenoma, and 8 had two adenomas. In addition, 114 cases had clinical symptoms, among which 51, 28, 23, 8, and 4 had urinary system, skeletal system, digestive system, neuromuscular system, and neuropsychiatric symptoms, respectively, while 26 cases had no obvious symptoms. The median level of preoperative parathyroid hormone (PTH) was 201.0 pg/mL. The positive detection rate of technetium-99m sestamibi (Tc-99m MIBI) single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT), ultrasound examination, and the combined use of Tc-99m MIBI SPECT/CT and ultrasound examination was 92.9%, 85.5%, and 96.4%, respectively. Open surgery was performed in all patients, and PTH was monitored during surgery. The success rate of surgery was 98.6%. After surgery, 21 cases developed hypocalcemia, 1 case developed temporary hoarseness, and 19 cases had transient hypoparathyroidism but there was no permanent hypoparathyroidism, postoperative hemorrhage, or hematoma in the surgical area.CONCLUSION:For patients with clinically unexplained skeletal system, urinary system, and neuropsychiatric symptoms, the possibility of PA should be considered. Imaging examinations such as ultrasound and Tc-99m MIBI SPECT/CT could be integrated before surgery to obtain accurate localization diagnosis. Precise preoperative localization, intraoperative PTH monitoring, and delicate surgery to protect the integrity of the PA capsule ensure a minimally invasive and successful surgery.

Background/Purpose: Specific immunotherapy is the only effective etiological treatment for allergic rhinitis, but subcutaneous immunotherapy has a slowonset and poor compliance. Predicting the clinical efficacy of subcutaneous immunotherapy in advance can reduce unnecessarymedical costs and resource waste. This study aimed to identify metabolites that could predict the efficacy of subcutaneous immunotherapy on seasonal allergic rhinitis by serum metabolomics. Methods: Patients (n Z 43) with Artemisia sieversiana pollen allergic rhinitis were enrolled and treated with subcutaneous immunotherapy for one year. Patients were divided into the ineffective group (n Z 10) and effective group (n Z 33) according to the therapeutic index. Serum samples were collected before treatment. Metabolomics was determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and analyzed differential compounds and related metabolic pathways. Results: A total of 129 differential metabolites (P < 0.05) were identified and 4 metabolic pathways, namely taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, pentose and glucuronate interconversions, pentose phosphate pathway, and alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism, were involved. Conclusion: Some metabolites, such as hypotaurine, taurine, and L-alanine, have the potential to become predictive biomarkers for effective subcutaneous immunotherapy. Copyright (c) 2022, Formosan Medical Association. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/bync-nd/4.0/).

2022年2月20日，举世瞩目的北京第二十四届冬季奥林匹克运动会圆满落下帷幕，秉持贯彻"绿色可持续"的办奥理念和"节俭办奥"的原则，经北京冬奥组委运动会服务部医疗服务处组织，由首都医科大学宣武医院互联网医疗诊治技术国家工程研究中心（下称"国家工程研究中心"）牵头，首都医科大学附属北京世纪坛医院（下称"北京世纪坛医院"）具体承担，联合国内多家单位研发的5G移动CT救治单元圆满完成北京冬奥会五棵松冰球场馆医疗保障任务。国际奥委会医疗代表Dr. Bruce Forster特别指出五棵松冰球场馆配备的小型移动CT救治单元，是有史以来奥运会医疗装备史上的第一次，实现了从"0到1"的突破。现就本次医疗保障的组织方式及保障经验报道如下。

目的:探讨甲状腺乳头状癌(PTC)患者颈部淋巴结转移与原发灶临床病理特征和BRAFV600E基因突变的关联性,阐明PTC患者颈部淋巴结转移的影响因素.方法:选择因PTC在本院手术治疗的患者,回顾性分析其临床资料,包括患者年龄,性别,原发灶部位和数量,淋巴结转移数量和位置;病理学资料,包括肿瘤的位置、大小、数目和包膜侵犯,瘤周纤维包裹,检出砂粒体,脉管和神经受累.检测PTC组织中BRAF V600E基因突变情况,分析颈部淋巴结转移与PTC患者临床特征、病理学特点和BRAF V600E基因突变的关联性,采用多因素Logistic回归模型分析PTC患者颈部淋巴结转移的影响因素.结果:共选择PTC患者321例,其中发生颈部淋巴结转移者129例(40.2％).279例(86.9％)患者伴有BRAF V600E基因突变,但BRAF V600E基因突变与PTC淋巴结转移无关联(P>0.05).PTC患者颈部淋巴结转移与患者发病年龄、肿瘤最大径、甲状腺双侧叶多原发灶、检出砂粒体和脉管受侵有关联(P<0.05或P<0.01).多因素Logistic回归分析,PTC患者年龄(OR=0.729,95％CI:0.600～0.885)、肿瘤最大径(OR=1.796,95％CI:1.326～2.433)、原发灶数量(OR=1.947,95％CI:1.225～3.096)、检出砂粒体(OR=2.578,95％CI:1.037～6.409)和脉管受侵(OR=8.856,95％CI:1.929～40.656)是PTC患者淋巴结转移的影响因素.结论:PTC患者发生颈部淋巴结转移与患者年龄、肿瘤最大径、原发灶数量、检出砂粒体和脉管受侵有关联,与BRAF V600E基因突变无关联.

目的 探讨老年细菌性肺炎干扰素β(IFN-β)、促生长激素释放激素(GHRH)、降钙素原(PCT)、白细胞介素8(IL-8)的变化及临床意义.方法 选择2015年8月～2018年2月北京市社会福利医院诊治的老年细菌性肺炎患者134例为研究组,健康体检者60例为对照组.研究组患者给予常规方法治疗,记录疗效并比较治疗前后研究组及对照组的IFN-β、GHRH、PCT、IL-8表达变化情况.结果 134例患者治疗后,显效90例,有效30例,无效14例,总有效率为89.6％.治疗后患者的IFN-β相对表达量和血清GHRH、PCT、IL-8含量均显著低于治疗前(P＜0.05).Pearson相关分析预后总有效率、肺功能指标与患者的IFN-β相对表达量和血清GHRH、PCT、IL-8含量呈负相关性,4种指标之间呈正相关(P＜0.05).多因素logistic回归分析结果显示血清IFN-β、GHRH、PCT、IL-8是影响患者预后的独立危险因素(P＜0.05).结论 老年细菌性肺炎患者表现为血清IFN-β表达和GHRH、PCT、IL-8含量升高,其动态变化与患者的肺功能和预后显著相关.

BackgroundThe prevalence rates of allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma in the border region of China may be different from those in the central region of plateau grasslands. A survey was performed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for AR, asthma, and AR combined with asthma among adults (age ≥ 20 years) residing in the southern border of plateau grasslands in northern China.MethodsFrom May to August 2018, a cross-sectional survey was completed by subjects that were selected using a cluster random sampling method. The subjects completed a questionnaire and were administered skin prick tests (SPTs). Risk factors for AR, asthma, and AR combined with asthma were examined by multivariate logistic regression analyses.ResultsA total of 1815 adult subjects in the selected region completed study. The prevalence rates of physician-diagnosed AR, asthma, and AR combined with asthma were 13.9% (253), 9.8% (177), and 2.9% (52), respectively. Among the patients with AR, 20.6% were found to have concurrent asthma; among the patients with asthma, 29.4% were found to have concurrent AR. Artemisia and Humulus pollen were the most common sensitizing pollen types. Approximately 70% of subjects with AR and <30% of asthma patients were sensitized to Artemisia and Humulus pollen. Symptoms of AR and asthma mainly appeared during August. A multivariable logistic regression analysis identified sensitization pollen as an independent risk factor for both AR and AR combined with asthma (AR: OR = 16.23, 95% CI: 10.15–25.96; AR combined with asthma: OR = 6.16, 95% CI: 1.28–29.66). An age >40 years old, family history of asthma, moderate-to-severe AR, adverse food reactions, and mold allergies were independent risk factors for AR combined with asthma.ConclusionsThis study identified the prevalence rates of AR and asthma in the southern borders of the plateau grassland in northern China (>1500 m above sea level). Sensitization pollen is an independent risk factor for AR and AR combined with asthma.

在世界范围内,尘螨是最常见的吸入性过敏原,可诱发过敏性鼻炎、过敏性哮喘、特应性皮炎等过敏性疾病,对患者的工作和生活造成极大影响.尘螨特异性免疫治疗是目前唯一针对病因的治疗,许多临床研究以及Meta分析均证实特异性免疫治疗对于过敏性疾病,尤其是过敏性鼻炎具有良好临床疗效.除了可有效缓解临床症状、减少临床用药外,更重要的是能够阻断疾病的自然进程,预防鼻炎进展为哮喘.特异性免疫治疗前后许多免疫学及生物学指标可发生变化,为客观评价免疫治疗的疗效提供了依据.多项研究显示,尘螨特异性免疫治疗前后尘螨的致敏蛋白组分也可发生变化,使得尘螨组分蛋白可能成为评估特异性免疫治疗的疗效指标,本文将对这一领域的研究进展进行综述.

BACKGROUND:To investigate the role of microRNA-29 (miR-29) in mice with allergic rhinitis (AR) and its underlying mechanism. METHODS:AR model was established in BALB/c mice by intraperitoneal sensitization and intranasal challenge with ovalbumin (OVA). miRNA expression was examined in the nasal mucosa tissues of mice and patients with AR, and miRNA-29 was found to be downregulated. To unveil the role of miRNA-29 in AR, it was overexpressed in the nasal mucosa of AR mice by intranasal administration of miRNA-29 agomir. The symptoms of nasal rubbing and sneezing were recorded and evaluated. miR-29 expression, OVA-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) concentration, pro-inflammatory cytokines levels, eosinophils number, and cleaved caspase-3 and CD276 expression were examined in nasal mucosa tissues and nasal lavage fluid (NALF) by qRT-PCR, ELISA, hematoxylin and eosin staining, western blotting, or immunohistochemistry, respectively. TUNEL assay was used to analyze nasal mucosa cells apoptosis. RESULTS:Decreased expression of miR-29 was observed in AR, the symptoms of which were alleviated by overexpressing miR-29. In addition, overexpression of miR-29 markedly reduced the concentration of OVA-specific IgE, the levels of IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IFN-γ, the pathological alterations and eosinophils infiltration in the nasal mucosa. Furthermore, restoration of miR-29 expression reduced nasal mucosa cell apoptosis. Moreover, overexpression of miR-29 significantly attenuated CD276 mRNA and protein levels in nasal mucosa cells. CONCLUSION:MiR-29 mediated antiallergic effects in OVA-induced AR mice by decreasing inflammatory response, probably through targeting CD276. MiRNA-29 may serve as a potential novel therapeutic target for the treatment of AR.

目的 了解居民新冠肺炎疫情防控的知识、技能和心理行为状况,为疫情防控的居民宣教和心理干预提供科学依据.方法 使用自制问卷,采用方便抽样法抽取调查对象,使用自制电子问卷进行调查.所有数据使用SPSS 21.0进行统计分析,定量资料进行方差分析和t检验.结果 收到447份有效问卷中,男性占51.90％,女性占48.10％.调查对象的平均年龄(38.20±13.00)岁.新冠肺炎防控知识和技能得分均为(5.31±1.56)分,女性得分高于男性(P<0.05),28岁～和38岁～年龄组高于其他年龄组(P<0.05);大专或大学组和医疗卫生人员组高于其他组(P<0.05),农民组低于其他组(P<0.05).91.50％的调查对象报告自己的防控知识和技能主要来源于新闻发布.调查对象阳性心理行为症状的总评分为(0.85±1.17)分.93.96％的调查对象认为最终会彻底控制此次疫情,但44.52％的调查对象过去两周出现阳性心理症状,出现焦虑、偏执、强迫、躯体化、恐怖、抑郁症状的分别占24.38％、24.83％、22.82％、3.36％、6.94％、2.24％.结论 居民中大多数已掌握新冠肺炎防控的基本知识和技能,文化程度较低者和农村居民应作为后续宣教的重点人群.应重视实施大众心理疏导和干预.疫情新闻发布工作和网络媒体较好地发挥了公众沟通的作用.

Objectives: To propose a management algorithm for adult patients with sharp-pointed esophageal foreign-body impaction (EFBI) who have rigid endoscopy (RE) indications and to conduct a retrospective analysis of their data. Methods: All adult patients who received RE at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology in Beijing Shijitan Hospital between January 2017 and May 2019 were enrolled. The demographics, clinical characteristics, and management data were collected and analyzed. Results: A total of 130 patients were identified, 56.9% were female with median age 60 years. More than half (56.9%) of patients had foreign-body (FB) ingestion on holidays. The most frequent FBs were jujube pits (66.9%) and bones (23.8%). There is a significant female predominance in ingestion of jujube pits (65.5%, P = .005). The most common symptoms were odynophagia (49.2%) and sore throat (47.7%). The majority (96.8%) of FB founded were lodged at upper esophagus. In all, 74 patients were categorized as having mild complications and 54 having significant complications. Time interval from ingestion to presentation longer than 15 hours was an independent risk factor for significant complications, while esophagogram with barium as a protective factor. Conclusions: Long-time interval from ingestion to presentation will lead to high risk of significant complications. Computed tomography should be a prioritized imaging method for all patients suspected with EFBI, and multidisciplinary collaboration is recommended. Besides, mass education on eating habits is necessary.

皮肤点刺试验(skin prick test,SPT)因简单方便、快速灵敏、价格便宜,已成为临床上最常用的过敏原检测方法,至今国内外没有统一的、标准化的SPT操作流程.为此,制定标准化的SPT非常必要.SPT通常在单侧或双侧前臂进行,可分2d或多天实施,也可在背部进行;抗组胺药物等对SPT有影响,进行SPT之前必须停用3～7 d;如果不能确定药物是否影响SPT结果,可采用组胺阳性对照来验证;组胺阳性对照的最佳浓度是10 mg/ml,也可用两种浓度的组胺验证SPT阳性反应是否成比例;金属单头点刺针的SPT结果非常可靠,塑料多头点刺针对儿童可能有较好的意义;风团＞3 mm是SPT阳性反应的标准,红晕可做为参考;随时观察SPT后15～20 min内的反应,少数人也可出现迟发反应,应随时就医;SPT严重不良反应很少见,但应做好预防和急救;最常见的8种吸入过敏原可涵盖95％～99％的过敏患者,11种食物过敏原可以涵盖95％的过敏患者;吸人性过敏原SPT结果的特异度较食物过敏原更高;可用SPT评价抗组胺药的疗效;老年人SPT灵敏度和特异度低于儿童和青壮年;SPT不能作为过敏原特异性免疫治疗(allergen immuotherapy,AIT)的疗效指标,但可采用SPT进行终点滴定法确定AIT中断治疗后再次开始治疗的起始浓度,或在不同AIT产品间进行转换;如果SPT阴性,则建议查血清特异性IgE(specific IgE,sIgE)甚至局部sIgE或激发试验;SPT点刺液、结果解读、新鲜过敏原点刺液、药物过敏原点刺液、SPT操作的标准化非常重要,SPT操作人员应接受岗前培训,获得资质后持证上岗,严格掌握SPT适应证和禁忌证,在皮肤划痕症阳性患者容易出现假阳性,严重过敏期间不宜进行SPT,以免发生严重不良反应;SPT仍有许多方面需要深入研究.

目的 探索综合医院新型冠状病毒肺炎(COVID-19)防控体系的建立与应用,制定行之有效的防控策略,为综合性医院建立科学的疫情防控体系提供可借鉴的经验,成为长效机制.方法 以管理传染病三个环节"传染源、传播途径、易感人群"为原则,加强人员培训、健康监测、消毒防护、物资调配及健康科普工作,优化诊疗区域及通道,建立应急预案及督导机制,强化重点科室管理及人工智能应用,结合医院实际情况,制定科学有效的防控策略,注重细节,保障防控措施落地.结果 医院诊疗活动有序开展,防控措施有效可行,医患传染病防控意识明显增强,防控知识知晓率达到100.00％,医务人员手卫生依从性提高,穿脱防护用品及消毒灭菌规范合理,医院工作人员、门急诊及住院患者均未感染COVID-19.结论 科学的医院感染防控体系的建立与应用,可以有效控制综合医院新型冠状病毒肺炎的传播与感染.

目的:探讨慢性阻塞性肺部疾病(COPD)患者血清Caspase-1、CD30/CD30L表达水平及其相关性研究.方法:选取2018年1月至2019年3月住院的75例急性加重期COPD患者为急性组,74例稳定期COPD患者稳定组,同时选取同期74例健康体检人员作为对照组.肺功能仪测定肺功能,酶联免疫吸附法检测Caspase-1、CD30/CD30L水平,Pearson相关性分析COPD患者Caspase-1、CD30/CD30L与肺功能的相关性.结果:三组观察对象年龄、性别、BMI及吸烟史等,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).COPD急性期和稳定期组肺功能相关指标FEF％、FEV1 pred％、V25％、V50％、V75％显著低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).酶联免疫吸附实验显示与对照组相比,急性组和稳定组患者体内Caspase-1、CD30/CD30L水平升高,并且急性组水平高于稳定组,均差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).Person相关性分析结果显示,COPD患者体内Caspase-1、CD30与肺功能相关指标FEF％、FEV1 pred％、V25％、V50％、V75％、CAT评分存在相关性(P＜0.05),外周血Caspase-1、CD30水平间存在相关性(r=0.934,P=0.000).稳定组内不同风险等级患者血清Caspase-1、CD30、CD30L表达量随着风险等级增加而增加.讨论:急性加重期和稳定期COPD患者体内Caspase-1、CD30/CD30L表达均显著升高,且随着风险等级增加而增加,与肺功能相关指标与CAT评分呈相关性,可能作为评价COPD的有效指标.

目的 探讨血清人T细胞免疫球蛋白黏蛋白分子3(T cell immunoglobulin mucin molecule 3,Tim-3)mRNA、人单核细胞趋化蛋白-1(monocyte chemoattractant protein-1,MCP-1)、白细胞介素-22(interleukin-22,IL-22)、人可溶性CD30(soluble CD30,sCD30)对慢性心力衰竭并发肺部感染患者的诊断价值.方法 选取2016年10月到2019年1月北京市社会福利医院收治的老年慢性心力衰竭患者144例作为研究对象,依据是否发生肺部感染将患者分为对照组72例和肺部感染组72例,另选72名健康体检者为健康组.抽血检测3组人群血清中Tim-3mRNA、MCP-1、IL-22、sCD30浓度并进行比较.结果 肺部感染组患者血清Tim-3 mRNA、MCP-1、IL-22、sCD30浓度高于对照组,对照组高于健康组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).慢性心力衰竭并发肺部感染患者血清MCP-1、IL-22、sCD30、Tim-3 mRNA之间互为正相关,并且随着肺感染程度分级和纽约心脏协会心功能分级的升高而升高,不同分级间比较差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05).Tim-3 mRNA、MCP-1、IL-22、sCD30诊断肺部感染的受试者工作特征曲线(receiver operating characteristic curve,ROC)的曲线下面积(area under curve,AUC)均接近于0.9,说明诊断准确性较高.结论 Tim-3mRNA、MCP-1、IL-22、sCD30可能是慢性心力衰竭患者是否肺部感染的诊断标志物,监测其浓度变化对患者病情评估具有重要临床意义.

BackgroundAllergic rhinitis is a common disorder that affects 10% to 40% of the population worldwide. Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) represents the only therapy that has the potential to resolve clinical symptoms of allergic rhinitis. However, up to 30% of patients do not respond to AIT. Biomarkers predicting the clinical efficacy of AIT as early as possible would significantly improve the patient selection and reduce unnecessary societal costs. MethodsArtemisia pollen allergic patients who received at least 1-year AIT were enrolled. Clinical responses before and after 1-year AIT were evaluated to determine AIT responders. Artemisia specific IgE and IgG4 levels were measured by using ImmunoCAP and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) separately. Stepwise regression analysis was performed to identify which rhinitis-relevant parameters explained the most variability in AIT results. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based proteomics was applied to identify the potential candidate biomarkers in the sera of responders and non-responders collected before and after 1-year therapy. The diagnostic performance of the potential biomarkers was then assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 30 responders and 15 non-responders.ResultsArtemisia specific IgE and IgG4 levels were elevated only in the responders. Regression analysis of allergic rhinitis-relevant parameters provided a robust model that included two most significant variables (sneeze and nasal congestion). Thirteen candidate biomarkers were identified for predicting AIT outcomes. Based on their association with allergy and protein fold change (more than 1.1 or less than 0.9), four proteins were identified to be potential biomarkers for predicting effective AIT. However, further ELISA revealed that only leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H) was consistent with the proteomics data. The LTA4H level in responders increased significantly (P < 0.001) after 1-year therapy, while that of non-responders remained unchanged. Assessment of LTA4H generated area under curve (AUC) value of 0.844 (95% confidence interval: 0.727 to 0.962; P < 0.05) in distinguishing responders from the non-responders, suggesting that serum LTA4H might be a potential biomarker for predicting the efficiency of AIT.ConclusionSerum LTA4H may be a potential biomarker for early prediction of an effective AIT.

Nowadays, people pay more attention to biomarkers that can predict clinical efficacy of immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis. As the only recognized aetiological treatment, the efficacy of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) has been proved by many studies. However, treatment success depends on compliance and persistence greatly, which can be impaired by the lengthy duration of AIT and socioeconomic status of patients. Besides, ineffectiveness is another factor that accounts for non-adherence. If the clinical efficacy can be predicted in the early stage of immunotherapy, it can help patients choose appropriate treatment plans, increase patient compliance and optimize the allocation of medical resources. This paper mainly focuses on five candidate biomarkers, the sIgE/tIgE ratio before treatment, serum inhibitory activity for IgE, decreased basophil activation, upregulation of Tregs and tolerogenic DCs, reviews the time when potential biomarkers can predict or monitor the efficacy of AIT, discusses the reason why these indicators could serve as efficacy biomarkers and interactions among potential biomarkers.