ABSTRACT
Introduction:Various foods and aeroallergens are commonly attributed as the cause and exacerbating factors ofatopic dermatitis (AD) in children. This study aim to describe the common food and aeroallergensImmunoglobulin E (IgE) sensitisation pattern and the association between atopic dermatitis (AD)children of varying eczema severities and age groups.Methods:Patients who fulfil the criteria of AD were recruited and their eczema severities were assessed usingEczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score. Skin prick test (SPT) was performed and serum totalIgE and specific IgE taken for 6 common foods (cow’s milk, soya, egg white, peanut, wheat andchicken) and 4 aeroallergens [cat dander (Felix domesticus) and house dust mites (Dermatophagoidespteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae and Blomia tropicalis)]. IgE sensitisation was diagnosedpositive when the SPT yield a wheal of ≥3mm compared with the negative control and/or serumspecific IgE level of >0.35ku/L. Data was analysed using SPSS®v20.Results:Overall IgE sensitisation to at least one food and/or aeroallergen was 95%. The most prevalentfood allergen in Group A [≤1 year old] (n=10) was egg white in which both tests showed statisticalsignificant results when compared with Group B [>1 year old] (n=50). Other common food allergensincluded cow’s milk and peanut. D. pteronyssinus was the commonest aeroallergen. Aeroallergenswere significantly more prevalent in Group B when comparing both groups.Conclusion:Food and aeroallergen sensitisations were very common among AD children. Food allergens weremore common in infants and aeroallergens in older children. Bigger sample size may provide morerepresentative results.
ABSTRACT
Background & objectives: Arthropods of different taxonomic identity including chironomid midges are known to induce allergic response in humans. The present study was done to access two common chironomid species Chironomus circumdatus and Polypedilum nubifer for their sensitizing potential as an allergen in atopic patients and controls. Methods: Following preparation of allergenic extracts of the two chironomid species separately, 198 atopic patients attending an allergy clinic and 50 age matched controls were tested along with a routine panel of allergens to assess sensitization. Results: The skin prick test (SPT) results revealed that 189 of the 198 patients (95.4%) demonstrated sensitization to both the chironomid species. Higher levels of total IgE was observed in atopic subjects than in the control group. Interpretation & conclusions: The results suggest that the chironomid midges Chironomus circumdatus and Polypedilum nubifer can elicit sensitization in humans. A potential risk for allergic reactions by susceptible individuals exists due to these chironomid species, owing to their abundance and chances of contact with human beings. Further studies may be initiated to characterize the nature of the allergens and to assess their clinical relevance.
ABSTRACT
Allergic diseases are amongst the most common chronic disorders worldwide. Over 20% of the world population suffers from immunoglobulin E-mediated allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema and anaphylaxis. In India alone, 20% of the population suffers from allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma. Airway allergy is now considered to be a disease which is not confined to a specific target organ, but rather a disorder of the whole respiratory tract. Epidemiological, experimental and clinical observations have suggested a link between rhinitis and asthma, leading to the definition of allergic rhinobronchitis or united airway disease and the concept of ‘one airway one disease’. Aeroallergens play a major role in the pathogenesis of respiratory allergic diseases. Skin tests are the cornerstone for the identification of causative allergens and selection of therapy, including environmental control and immunotherapy. The Krishna and Godavari regions are two of the nine coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh with varied environmental pollutants like cotton dust, granite dust and stone crushings, besides being a potential agricultural area. These areas have high prevalence of naso-bronchial allergies. With this background, the present study was done to study the skin sensitivity to various allergens by skin prick testing in patients of naso-bronchial allergy, visiting the Department of Pulmonology, Katuri Medical College and Hospital, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India, and to compare the prevalence of various allergens among the Krishna and Godavari regions.