Bookmark Our Site
�
TREAT
�
RESEARCH
�
EDUCATE
�
ELEVATE

Contact Us-






Join Our Newsletter


 

What Patients Say

Just a quick 'hello' to let you know I am doing wonderful. My husband and I gave birth to a healthy baby boy of 7 lb. 13 oz. on June 28th. No complications during pregnancy and no complications after birth for mommy and baby Thank you from my family in Dallas for helping me heal. Whatever it was...I am having no signs anymore.

Adult Female - Metabolic Disorder
Austin, Texas

Allergy and Low Dose Antigen Therapy

What is an Allergy?
An allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to an antigen (a substance such as a pollen, mold, food, chemical or insect bite) which is usually not harmful to most people.

Some symptoms of allergies can include the following:

  • Itchy, runny nose or eyes
  • Repeated sinus infections
  • A feeling of fullness in the ears
  • Sneezing, coughing, wheezing and asthma
  • A closing up of the airway
  • Rashes such as hives and eczema
  • Joint aches
  • Gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting
  • Changes in behavior, mood and hand writing 

Introduction to Low Dose Allergens (LDA)
At the Kotsanis Institute we use Low Dose Antigen treatment (LDA). LDA is administered in the forearm by intradermal injection. LDA is given once every two to three months for the first six to eight treatments. Most patients receive a total of 11-15 treatments over three years. The effect of LDA can be almost immediate; however, the full benefit of LDA may be slow to appear. Generally, patients can notice some significant effect with the first or second injection. The response rate usually improves with subsequent injections.

What is LDA?
Low Dose Antigen Therapy (LDA) is a way of treating allergies and chemical and food intolerances that uses homeopathic doses of common allergens (substances that make you react). Also included in this injection is a small dose of an enzyme called � glucuronidase. This enzyme is a potentiator for contents of the injection. A potentiator is a substance that makes the basic contents of the shot stronger.

How does LDA work?
The treatment activates the T-lymphocytes (immune system controlling white blood cells) which shut off the undesirable allergic response. The T-lymphocytes have a half-life of 12 to 16 weeks and form life-long memory cells that eventually give you the long term relief you need. Patients who have gone through the treatment report that they need fewer medications, get fewer infections and have more tolerance to foods, pollens and chemicals. Most patients can eat all foods (allergenic or not) about 12 months after they start the treatment without reactions.

How is LDA administered?
It is given in an intradermal (into the skin) injection on the forearm.

How often is LDA administered?
LDA is given about once every two months in the first year, once every three months the second year, and once every six months in the third year, and thereafter if needed. Depending on how closely the patient follows the recommendations, she/he may or may not need an annual booster. This type of schedule makes following the treatment plan easy.

What is the usual response?
Typically, children respond faster than adults. In some cases we see immediate response with the first injection, while in other cases the response may take 4 to 5 doses. When the response wears off, you must wait until the next dose to continue relief. There is sometimes a decreased response to the 4th or 5th dose, but then improvement increases again. The localized reaction at the location of the injection can vary from no reaction to a reaction that is red, itchy, and the size of a half dollar or even larger. The size of the reaction has no relationship to what type of response you will have.

Do I have to do anything to prepare for LDA; and are there any dietary restrictions?
Preparing for LDA consists of being on an antifungal protocol for at least the five days before your shot. It is very important that the rotating anti-fungal protocol is followed before and between LDA treatments. LDA works best when yeast and Candida are suppressed. On the day before, the day of and the day after the LDA shot you must also stay away from your allergic foods, household chemicals, allergy medicines, and also preferably any household pets. Also on those three days you must eat only cooked foods (not raw - because they contain enzymes which may interfere with treatment). During those three days you must also refrain from taking your normal nutritional supplements. You should, however keep taking medications for serious conditions such as insulin, steroids, hypertension and heart medications. If you have questions on a specific medication please call us. Avoid over the counter allergy meds, antihistamines, decongestants and nasal sprays one week before and three weeks after LDA. Avoid alcohol, fatiguing exercise and extreme sun or heat.

Is LDA safe and effective?
An Italian study conducted in 2006 which used � glucuronidase in allergy therapy in children, concluded that it was safe and effective.  One thing that helps insure the safety factor is the use of homeopathic (very low) dosages. LDA and other forms of enzyme potentiated treatment have been used safely in the US and United Kingdom for over 30 years. There are numerous studies cited at the end of this section that reflect the scientific experience and evidence supporting this treatment.

What conditions has LDA been used to treat?
LDA can be used to treat all kinds of allergies (pollen, dust, animal dander, mold, etc.) as well as food intolerances. Additional studies cited at the end of this discussion also found this type of treatment effective for asthma, mite allergy, and food induced hyperactivity. But doctors have treated many other immune-related conditions with LDA. A list of these appears below.

List of Conditions That Have Been Treated Using LDA

(This is not an exhaustive list)

 

Allergies

Asthma

Autistic Spectrum Disorders such as autism, ADD, ADHD, Turret's, Asperger's, dyslexia, etc.

Candidiasis

Chest infections - recurring

Chronic anal itching

Chronic cough

Chronic fatigue

Constipation

Contact dermatitis

Crohn's disease

Ear infections - chronic

Eczema

Face and sinus pain

Gut fermentation and bloating

Hives

Hyperactivity (ADD, ADHD, Autism, etc.)

Interstitial cystitis

Irritable bowel

Itchy watery eyes

Meniere's disease

Mental confusion

Migraines and severe headaches

Nasal polyps

Osteo-arthritis

Post nasal drip

Rheumatoid arthritis

Runny, stuffy nose

Sinusitis - chronic

Swelling of the face, lips or tongue (angioedema)

LDA is not covered and may not be filed with insurance.

*Galli E, Bassi MS, Mora E, Martelli M, Gianni S, Auricchio G, Arabito E, Rossi P. A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial with short-term beta-glucuronidase therapy in children with chronic rhinoconjunctivitis and/or asthma due to dust mite allergy. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2006; 16(6):345-50. PMID: 17153881 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Other References

  1. Pulec JL. Enzyme-potentiated desensitization in otolaryngic allergy. Ear Nose Throat J. 2002 Mar;81(3):164-7.
  2. Troise C, Bignardi D, Modena P, Pissacroia C, Di Berardino F. Preventive symptomatic immunotherapy versus placebo in seasonal rhinitis due to grasses in children and to Parietaria in adult patients. Allerg Immunol (Paris). 2000 Jun;32(6):246-9.
  3. Ward, WA. Enzyme potentiated desensitization (EPD): a potential revolution in allergy care. Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery2000, 8:273-276.
  4. Ippoliti F, Ragno V, Del Nero A, McEwen LM, McEwen H, Businco L. Effect of preseasonal enzyme potentiated desensitisation (EPD) on plasma-IL-6 and IL-10 of grass pollen-sensitive asthmatic children. Allerg Immunol (Paris). 1997 May;29(5):120, 123-5.
  5. Cantani A, Ragno V, Monteleone MA, Lucenti P, Businco L. Enzyme-potentiated desensitization in children with asthma and mite allergy: a double-blind study. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 1996 Jul-Aug;6(4):270-6.
  6. Astarita C, Scala G, Sproviero S, Franzese A. Effects of enzyme-potentiated desensitization in the treatment of pollinosis: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial.
  7. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 1996 Jul-Aug;6(4):248-55.
  8. Egger J, Stolla A, McEwen LM. Controlled trial of hyposensitisation in children with food-induced hyperkinetic syndrome. Lancet. 1992 May 9;339(8802):1150-3.
  9. McEwen LM. Ganderton MA. Wilson CW. Black JH. Hyaluronidase in the treatment of allergy. British Medical Journal. ii: 507-8, 1967.
  10. McEwen LM. Starr MS. Enzyme potentiated hyposensitization I: The effect of pre-treatment with beta-glucuronidase, hyaluronidase and antigen on anaphylactic sensitivity of guinea pigs, rats and mice. International Archives of Allergy. 42:152-8, 1972.
  11. McEwen LM. Enzyme potentiated hyposensitization II: Effect of glucose, glucosamine, N-acetylamino-sugars and gelatin on the ability of beta- glucuronidase to block the anamnestic response to antigen in mice. Annals of Allergy. 31:79-83,1973.
  12. McEwen LM. Effects of sugars and diols on enzyme potentiated desensitization. Journal of Physiology. 230(1): 65-6, 1973 Apr.
  13. McEwen LM. Nicholson M. Kitchen I. White S. Enzyme potentiated hyposensitization III: Control by sugars and diols of the immunological effect of beta-glucuronidase in mice and patients with hay fever. Annals of Allergy. 31(11), 543-50, 1973.
  14. McEwen LM. Nicholson M. Kitchen I. O'Gorman J. White S. Enzyme potentiated hyposensitization IV: Effect of protamine on the immunological behavior of beta-glucuronidase in mice and patients with hay fever. Annals of Allergy. 34:290-5,1975.
  15. McEwen LM. Enzyme potentiated hyposensitization V: Five case reports of patients with acute food allergy. Annals of Allergy. 35:98-103,1975.
  16. McEwen LM. A double-blind controlled trial of enzyme potentiated hyposensitization for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Clinical Ecology. 5(2): 47-51, 1987.
  17. McEwen LM. Hyposensitization. In: Brostoff J and Challacombe SJ., Eds. Food allergy and intolerance. London; Bailliere Tindall, 985-94, 1987.
  18. Fell P. Brostoff JA. Single dose desensitization for summer hay fever. European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 38: 77-9,1990.
  19. Eaton KK. Preliminary studies with enzyme potentiated desensitization in canine atopic dermatitis. Environmental Medicine. 8:140-1,1991.
  20. Longo G. Poli F. Bertoli G. Efficacia clinica di UN novo trattemento iposensibilizzante, EPD (enzyme potentiated desensitization) nella terapia Della pollinosi. Reforma Medica. 107:171-6,1992.
  21. Eggar J. Stolla A. McEwen LM. Controlled trial of hyposensitization in children with food-induced hyperkinetic syndrome. Lancet. 339:1150-3, 1992 May 9.
  22. Shrader Jr. WA. McEwen LM. Enzyme potentiated desensitization: A sixteen month trial of therapy with 134 patients. Environmental Medicine. 9 (3&4): 128-38, 1993.
  23. Angelini G. Curatoli G. D'Argento V. Vena GA. Pollinosi: una nuova metodica di immunoterapia.Medit. J. Surg. Med., 253-6, 1993
  24. Eggar J. Stolla A. McEwen L.M. Hyposensibilisierung bei nahrungsmittelinduzierter migrane. Actuelle Neuropadiatrie. 1992. A. Lishka, G. Bernett (Eds.) 1992. 287-291. Ciba-Geigy Verlag, Wehr 1993.
  25. Eggar J. Stolla A. McEwen LM. Controlled trial of hyposensitization in children with food induced migraine. Cephalgia.13: Suppl. 216, 1993.
  26. Di Stanislao C. Mazzocchetti E. Bologna G Chimenti S. EPD secondo McEwen: Studio cliniico, istologia e immunoistochimico. Bollentino de dermatologia allergologia e professionale, 2, 1994
  27. Astarita C. et al. Effects of enzyme potentiated desensitization in the treatment of pollinosis: A double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Investigational Allergology and Clinical Immunology 6(4): 248-255, 1996 July-Aug.
  28. Cantani A. Vanda Ragno V. Monteleone A. Lucenti P. Businco L. Enzyme-potentiated desensitization in children with asthma and mite allergy: A double-blind study. Journal of Investigational Allergology and Clinical Immunology. 6(4): 270-76, 1996 Jul.-Aug.
  29. Galland L. McEwen L.M. A role for food intolerance in childhood migraine. World Ped. & Child Care. 6: 2-8, 1996.
  30. Pulec JL. Enzyme-potentiated desensitization: a major breakthrough [editorial]. Ear, Nose, & Throat Journal. 75(10): 640, 1996 Oct.
  31. Caramia G. Franceschini F. Cimarelli ZA. Ciucchi MS. Gagliardini R. Ruffini E. The efficacy of E.P.D., a new immunotherapy, in the treatment of allergic diseases in children. Allergie et Immunologie. 28(9): 308-10, 1996 Nov.
  32. Ippoliti F. Rivi R. Businco L. Effect of preseasonal enzyme potentiated desensitization (EPD) on plasma IL-6 and IL-10 in grass pollen-sensitive asthmatic children. Allergie et Immunologie; 29(5): 120, 123-25, 1997.
  33. Di Stanislao C. Mazzocchetti E. Bologna G Chimenti S. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of preventative immunotherapy with EPD in the treatment of seasonal allergic disease. Allergie et immunologie. 29(2): 39-42, 1997.
  34. Ward WA. Enzyme potentiated desensitization (EPD): a potential revolution in allergy care. Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery. 8:273-6, 2000.
  35. Shrader, Jr. WA. The use of bacterial antigen EPD immunotherapy for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and reactive arthritis: the role of molecular mimicry (unpublished), 1996, revised 1998, 2000.
  36. Shrader, W.A., Treating Allergies with EPD Immunotherapy, in Optimal Digestion, Faas, N., 370-78, Harper-Collins, 1999.
  37. Shrader, Jr., W.A. Short and long-term treatment of asthma with intravenous nutrients. Nutr J. May 14 2004; 3(1): 6.