ABSTRACT
Allergie skin tests are an important tool in the diagnosis of allergie diseases. They are useful in epidemiologic studies. the aim of our study is to estimate the prevalence of the skin sensitivity in a sample of unselected population and to study the relationship between skin test reactivity and clinical manifestations. During 9 months, we undertake skin prick-test in 500 subjects. Our population was recruited in the blood sample room of the biochemestry laboratory of the university Hospital of sousse. Seven aeroallergen was tested :Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus [DPT], Dermatophagoides farinae [DF],pollens of Graminees, Olive tree, partetaure, cockroach and candidine. A positive and a negative control tests were made. 34% of the population was sensitized to one or more aeroallergens. In the litterature this prevalence vary from 9 to 55.5% according to the methodology applied. In our study the skin reactivity does not change with sex [p=0.26] but was high in subjects aged between 15 and 35 years. 21.8% were sensitized to house dust mites [DPT,DF] and 18.2% to pollens [olive tree, graminees, parietaire]. Skin reactivity was more common when subjects had personal atopic history [p<0.003] and / or had actuel allergic symptoms particularyrhinitis and asthma [p<0.006]. skin reactivity to common aeroallergens is frequent in the general population, particularly in symptomatic subjects affected by rhinitis and/or allergic asthma. This skin sensitization is the result of genetic and environmental interaction, but skin sensitization does not mean allergy