Una plaga citadina peligrosa: los murciélagos / A dangerous urban pest: bats

Los murciélagos son mamíferos vertebrados presentes en la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, estimándose una población de 4 animales por habitante. Son portadores de varias enfermedades importantes y además empeoran las condiciones respiratorias de enfermos crónicos. En el campo cumplen una interesante función, ya que se alimentan de insectos perjudiciales para las siembras. El guano puede ser útil en el abono de la tierra debido al aporte de carbono y nitrógeno. En las ciudades su presencia tiene consecuencias diferentes. Se encuentran en los taparrollos de las habitaciones, así como también en todas las oquedades de muros, árboles, grietas, etc. Se exponen aquí los peligros y los cuidados que deben tenerse en la Ciudad de Buenos Aires ante la invasión de estos quirópteros. (AU)

Bats are vertebrate mammals present in the City of Buenos Aires, with an estimated population of 4 animals per inhabitant. They are carriers of several important diseases and also worsen the respiratory conditions of the chronically ill. In rural areas they fulfill an interesting function, since they feed on insects harmful to crops. Guano can be useful in soil fertilization due to its contribution of carbon and nitrogen. In cities their presence has different consequences. They are found in the roll covers of the rooms as well as in all the hollows of walls, trees, cracks, etc. The dangers and precautions to be taken in the city of Buenos Aires in the face of the invasion of these chiroptera are described here. (AU)

A influencia de fatores ambientais na qualidade de vida e na sintomatologia de criancas com rinite alergica / The impact of environmental factors on quality of life and symptoms of children with allergic rhinitis

A rinite alérgica é uma inflamação da mucosa nasal, induzida pela exposição a alérgenos, responsável por impacto negativo sobre a capacidade cognitiva dos afetados. OBJETIVO: Correlacionar a média da qualidade de vida de crianças e adolescentes com sintomas de rinite alérgica com a presença de fatores ambientais domiciliares relatados na literatura como desencadeantes das crises alérgicas. MÉTODO: Estudo de coorte histórica com corte transversal no qual foram convidadas a participar 120 crianças e adolescentes com manifestações clínicas de rinite alérgica, as quais foram divididas em dois grupos, de acordo com a quantidade de fatores ambientais inadequados em seus domicílios. Aplicou-se, então, o questionário PedsQL 4.0 para quantificação da qualidade de vida com posterior comparação entre os grupos. RESULTADOS: Não foi encontrada diferença significante (p > 0,05) na média dos escores do questionário PedsQL ao comparar a qualidade de vida dos participantes com a presença dos fatores ambientais inadequados avaliados no estudo, porém, notou-se maior incidência de manifestações alérgicas nas crianças com maior número desses fatores. CONCLUSÃO: Os fatores ambientais inadequados estudados não tiveram relação com a qualidade de vida dos pacientes. No entanto, a análise das moradias e sintomatologia dos mesmos sugere que o ambiente interferiu no aparecimento das manifestações alérgicas. .

Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of the nasal mucosa caused by exposure to allergens, which impairs the cognitive capabilities of the affected. OBJECTIVE: To correlate the mean scores of quality of life of children and adolescents with symptoms of allergic rhinitis and the presence of household environmental factors described in the literature as allergy triggers. METHOD: This cross-sectional retrospective cohort study included 120 children and adolescents presenting clinical manifestations of allergic rhinitis. The subjects were divided into two groups based on the number of allergy-triggering environmental factors seen in their households. Scale PedsQL 4.0 was used to quantify quality of life and allow further comparisons between groups. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) were seen in the PedsQL mean scores when participant quality of life was analyzed vis-a-vis triggering environmental factors. However, the incidence of allergy manifestations was higher in children exposed to more environmental factors. CONCLUSION: The studied environmental factors were not correlated with patient quality of life. However, the analysis of patient households and symptoms indicates the environment played a role in the onset of allergy events. .

Risk factors of bronchial asthma in two contrasting settings–metropolitan and coastal areas of Bangladesh: A case control study.

Background. Seven million people are suffering from bronchial asthma in Bangladesh. But scanty data is available to explain the risk factors for asthma in Bangladesh. Methods. This population-based, age, sex, and economic status matched case-control study was conducted to identify the risk factors responsible for the development of bronchial asthma in two contrasting settings, the metropolitan capital city and coastal area of Bangladesh. A structured pre-tested questionnaire was filled up by face-to-face interviews with the patients or parents of patients with bronchial asthma and the normal controls after a respiratory physician confirmed the diagnosis on the basis of history, physical examination and spirometry. Results. Presence of allergic problems was recognised as risk factors for the development of bronchial asthma. Concomitant existence of atopic diseases, like allergic rhinitis, eczema and allergic conjunctivitis were found to be significant risk factors in both the settings. History of early childhood lung infections, like pneumonia, bronchiolitis and intake of antibiotics and paracetamol in last 12 months were also observed to be the risk factors in both the areas. Though most of the so-called allergic foods were statistically found to be a protective factor in both the settings [odds ratio (OR) 0.48, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.37-0.63 in city area and OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.66-0.96 in coastal area], this was considered to be an artifact. Conclusions. Several common risk factors for the development of bronchial asthma were identified in both city and coastal areas of Bangladesh. Bronchial asthma prevention campaign in Bangladesh may focus on sensitising the people on these risk factors.

[Prevalence of allergic rhinitis in a rural area of Settat, Morocco]

We evaluated the prevalence of allergic rhinitis in a rural population of Settat and its relationship with intestinal parasitosis and living conditions. The sample comprised 336 subjects living in 3 clusters. Rhinitis was evaluated using the ISAAC questionnaire. Prevalence of rhinitis was 37.8%. It was higher in those aged 15-49 years, illiterate subjects, active smokers, those presenting with overweight and those with hypereosinophilia. It was significantly lower in children < 10 years. Rhinitis was associated with sibship size and literacy, but not with intestinal parasitosis and helminth infections

Rinitis alérgica como causa de obstrucción de las vías áereas superiores / Allergic rhinitis caused by upper airway obstruction

La rinitis es una patología muy frecuente, siendo la rinitis alérgica la de mayor prevalencia. Esta constituye una de las causas de obstrucción de las vías aéreas superiores.

Doenças das vias aéreas superiores / Diseases of the upper respiratory tract

Um grande número de agentes presentes no ar inalado, ambiental ou ocupacionalmente, pode causar sintomas e doenças das vias aéreas superiores. Infelizmente o estabelecimento do nexo causal entre os mais diversos tipos de exposições que podem desencadear essas doenças não faz parte da rotina dos profissionais da saúde afeitos a essa questão. Uma extensa lista desses agentes e suas relações com as atividades e o desencadeamento dessas enfermidades estão disponíveis na literatura. Destacamos as rinossinusopatias, as disfonias, as ulcerações e perfurações do septo nasal e o elevado número de neoplasias da cavidade nasal e dos seios paranasais, que podem estar associados às atividades laborativas. Os procedimentos diagnósticos para investigação da etiologia ocupacional, apesar de disponíveis, ainda são pouco utilizados rotineiramente. Geralmente o reconhecimento precoce do agente causal e o afastamento da exposição podem resolver o problema evitando sua cronificação, pois, como nas demais doenças respiratórias ocupacionais, os programas de prevenção e o controle são elementos imprescindíveis para o equacionamento dessas enfermidades.

A great number of agents found in inhaled air, whether in the environment or in the workplace, can cause symptoms and diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Unfortunately, establishing the cause-and-effect relationship between exposure to one of the various types of agents that can provoke such diseases and the diseases themselves is not routine practice among the health professionals involved. A comprehensive list of these agents and their relationships with the effects and onset of such illnesses is available in the literature. Chief among these ills are rhinosinusitis, dysphonia and ulceration/perforation of the nasal septum, as well as tumors in the nasal cavity or paranasal sinuses, all of which can be work related. Although widely available, diagnostic procedures for the investigation of occupational etiology are not yet routinely employed. In general, early identification of, and discontinuation of the contact with, the causal agent can resolve the problem, thereby averting the development of the chronic form of the disease. As with other types of occupational respiratory diseases, prevention and control programs are indispensable in the fight against these illnesses.

Association Between Sensitization to Outdoor Spider Mites and Clinical Manifestations of Asthma and Rhinitis in the General Population of Adults

It has been demonstrated that spider mites such as the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) are important allergens for fruit farmers. A total of 2,467 adults (795 metropolitan urban, 788 non-metropolitan urban, and 884 rural subjects) were enrolled. They responded to the questionnaire, and underwent methacholine bronchial provocation tests as well as skin prick tests to locally common aeroallergens including the two-spotted spider mite. The prevalences of asthma and rhinitis as reported on the questionnaire were 7.8% and 16.4% of adults aged 20-35, 9.4% and 24.7% of those 36-50, and 17.7% and 21.7% of those older than 50, respectively. Among the older group, the two-spotted spider mite was the most common sensitizing allergen, although it was second of that of house dust mites among the other two age groups. Sensitization to the two-spotted spider mite was significantly associated with the prevalence of asthma and rhinitis among the younger age group, and associated with the prevalence of rhinitis among the older age group. The twospotted spider mite might be a common sensitizing allergen in the general population of adults, and sensitization to this mite may play a role in the manifestation of asthma and rhinitis symptoms during adulthood.

Rinitis alérgica y rinosinusitis: una revisión necesaria / Allergic rhinitis and rhinosinusitis: a necessary review

La importancia de las enfermedades alérgicas, y entre ellas de la rinitis alérgica, así como su costo económico y de recursos humanos, tanto como su prevalencia, está fuera de toda duda. Esta entidad representa la sexta causa de enfermedad crónica en EE.UU. y tiene un gran impacto en la calidad de vida de los pacientes que la padecen. La rinitis alérgica es un desorden heterogéneo y su alta prevalencia es aún subdiagnosticada. Está caracterizada por uno o más de los siguientes síntomas: estornudos, picor nasal, secreción y congestión nasal. Muchos agentes están involucrados con esta entidad, entre ellos, pólenes, hongos, ácaros y animales domésticos. Atendiendo a que la rinitis y la sinusitis mantienen síntomas en común como la pérdida del olfato y la obstrucción y el drenaje nasal, se prefiere denominarla como rinosinusitis. Muchos estudios han identificado a la rinitis como un factor de riesgo para el asma, con una prevalencia entre 80 y 90 por ciento. Esta revisión pretende repasar aspectos fundamentales de estas entidades como definición, etiología, clasificación, síntomas y tratamiento, y servir de guía para aquellos médicos que de una forma u otra tratan ambas afecciones con un impacto demostrado en la calidad de vida de los que las padecen

Determinacion serica de los niveles de ICAM-1s en pacientes con rinitis alergica / Serum levels of ICAM-1s in patient with allergic rhinitis

Se presume que la molécula de adhesión intercelular -1 (ICAM-1, CD54) está involucrada en la patogénesis del asma y se ha detectado una forma soluble de ICAM-1 (ICAM-1 s) en concentraciones elevadas en el suero de pacientes con ciertas condiciones inflamatorias. En este estudio, examinamos los niveles de ICAM-1 soluble en pacientes con rinitis alérgica de diversos grados: leve (8 pacientes), moderada (12 pacientes), severa (15 pacientes), del instituto de alergias, asma e inmunología. Los resultados fueron luego comparados con 10 sujetos saludables, como control negativo, sin diagnóstico de rinitis alérgica ni asma, y con 10 sujetos con asma de la unidad de neumología del Hospital La Samaritana, como control positivo. Todos los pacientes con edades entre 15 y 55 años. Utilizamos la técnica ELISA para medir ICAM-ls. Con anterioridad, todos los pacientes fueron sometidos a una prueba alérgica mediante el método Prick. Nuestro objetivo fue analizar si ICAM-1 s es un marcador de la severidad de la rinitis alérgica, y encontramos que los niveles de ICAM-1 soluble muestran un incremento a medida que la rinitis alérgica progresa. La comparación entre el grupo general de rinitis alérgica y el grupo de control negativo muestra resultados estadísticamente significativos (P < 0.05) y cada uno de los grupos de rinitis alérgica (leve, moderada y severa) en relación con el control negativo mostró que la expresión de ICAM-1 no incrementa y se mantiene baja, (Rinitis Leve p = 0.495, Moderada p = 0.0017, Severa p = 0.0014). Los anteriores resultados confirman nuestra hipótesis

Influência ou não dos anticoncepcionais orais na rinite alérgica / Influency or not of contraceptive pills in the allergic rhinitis

Muitos estudos levantaram a hipótese da interferência positiva dos anticoncepcionais orais no aparecimento ou piora do quadro clínico da rinite alérgica. Em 55 casos pesquisados pelo Serviço de Otorrinolaringologia da Universidade São Francisco esta hipótese foi descartada, provavelmente devido à baixa porcentagem de hormônios dos anticoncepcionais atuais

As alteraçôes oro-faciais apresentadas em pacientes respiradores bucais / The dentalfacial alterations present in mouth breathing

Objetivo: Revisäo da literatura sobre a obstruçäo nasal como fator etiológico da respiraçäo bucal. Métodos: Na literatura foi encontrado que o paciente que possui obstruçäo nasal respira pela boca, causando com isso várias alteraçöes na face da cavidade bucal. Este desvio na funçäo respiratória desencadeia a síndrome da face longa. Resultados:Foram encontrados várias causas para a respiraçäo bucal, dentre elas a rinite alérgica, alteraçöes de septo nasal, hiperplasia de adenóide, tonsilas inflamadas, conchas nasais hipertróficas e hábitos indesejados. Conclusöes: O diagnóstico e o tratamento precoce da obstruçäo nasal auxilia na prevençäo das alteraçöes oro-faciais

Specific IgG1 and IgG4 antibodies to citrus red mite in citrus farmers: a study of their relationship to respiratory symptoms

Citrus red mite (CRM) is known as the most common sensitizing allergen in subjects with asthma and rhinitis working on citrus farms. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of specific IgG1 (slgG1) and specific IgG4 (slgG4) to CRM in citrus farmers. Questionnaire survey and skin prick test including CRM antigen was done by 136 workers. Specific IgE (slgE), slgG1 and slgG4 to CRM were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). CRM-sensitive-asthma was diagnosed upon presence of asthmatic symptoms by questionnaire, airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine and slgE to CRM. CRM-sensitive rhinitis was diagnosed upon presence of rhinitis symptoms and slgE to CRM. Eleven (8.1+ACU-) had CRM-sensitive asthma and 25 (18.4+ACU-) had CRM-sensitive rhinitis. Significant association was noted between presence of asthmatic symptoms and slgE or slgG4 (p+ADw-0.05, respectively), while no significant association was noted in slgG1 (p+AD4-0.05). Significant association was noted in the prevalence between slgG4 and slgE (p+ADw-0.05), while no significant association was noted between slgG1 and slgG4 or slgE (p+ADw-0.05, respectively). There was a significant correlation between slgE and slgG4 level (r+AD0-0.39, p+ADw-0.05). These findings suggest that the presence of slgG1 to CRM is response to CRM exposure, and further studies will be needed to evaluate the role of slgG4.Citrus red mite (CRM) is known as the most common sensitizing allergen in subjects with asthma and rhinitis working on citrus farms. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of specific IgG1 (slgG1) and specific IgG4 (slgG4) to CRM in citrus farmers. Questionnaire survey and skin prick test including CRM antigen was done by 136 workers. Specific IgE (slgE), slgG1 and slgG4 to CRM were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). CRM-sensitive-asthma was diagnosed upon presence of asthmatic symptoms by questionnaire, airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine and slgE to CRM. CRM-sensitive rhinitis was diagnosed upon presence of rhinitis symptoms and slgE to CRM. Eleven (8.1+ACU-) had CRM-sensitive asthma and 25 (18.4+ACU-) had CRM-sensitive rhinitis. Significant association was noted between presence of asthmatic symptoms and slgE or slgG4 (p+ADw-0.05, respectively), while no significant association was noted in slgG1 (p+AD4-0.05). Significant association was noted in the prevalence between slgG4 and slgE (p+ADw-0.05), while no significant association was noted between slgG1 and slgG4 or slgE (p+ADw-0.05, respectively). There was a significant correlation between slgE and slgG4 level (r+AD0-0.39, p+ADw-0.05). These findings suggest that the presence of slgG1 to CRM is response to CRM exposure, and further studies will be needed to evaluate the role of slgG4.

Specific IgG1 and IgG4 antibodies to citrus red mite in citrus farmers: a study of their relationship to respiratory symptoms

Citrus red mite (CRM) is known as the most common sensitizing allergen in subjects with asthma and rhinitis working on citrus farms. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of specific IgG1 (slgG1) and specific IgG4 (slgG4) to CRM in citrus farmers. Questionnaire survey and skin prick test including CRM antigen was done by 136 workers. Specific IgE (slgE), slgG1 and slgG4 to CRM were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). CRM-sensitive-asthma was diagnosed upon presence of asthmatic symptoms by questionnaire, airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine and slgE to CRM. CRM-sensitive rhinitis was diagnosed upon presence of rhinitis symptoms and slgE to CRM. Eleven (8.1+ACU-) had CRM-sensitive asthma and 25 (18.4+ACU-) had CRM-sensitive rhinitis. Significant association was noted between presence of asthmatic symptoms and slgE or slgG4 (p+ADw-0.05, respectively), while no significant association was noted in slgG1 (p+AD4-0.05). Significant association was noted in the prevalence between slgG4 and slgE (p+ADw-0.05), while no significant association was noted between slgG1 and slgG4 or slgE (p+ADw-0.05, respectively). There was a significant correlation between slgE and slgG4 level (r+AD0-0.39, p+ADw-0.05). These findings suggest that the presence of slgG1 to CRM is response to CRM exposure, and further studies will be needed to evaluate the role of slgG4.Citrus red mite (CRM) is known as the most common sensitizing allergen in subjects with asthma and rhinitis working on citrus farms. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of specific IgG1 (slgG1) and specific IgG4 (slgG4) to CRM in citrus farmers. Questionnaire survey and skin prick test including CRM antigen was done by 136 workers. Specific IgE (slgE), slgG1 and slgG4 to CRM were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). CRM-sensitive-asthma was diagnosed upon presence of asthmatic symptoms by questionnaire, airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine and slgE to CRM. CRM-sensitive rhinitis was diagnosed upon presence of rhinitis symptoms and slgE to CRM. Eleven (8.1+ACU-) had CRM-sensitive asthma and 25 (18.4+ACU-) had CRM-sensitive rhinitis. Significant association was noted between presence of asthmatic symptoms and slgE or slgG4 (p+ADw-0.05, respectively), while no significant association was noted in slgG1 (p+AD4-0.05). Significant association was noted in the prevalence between slgG4 and slgE (p+ADw-0.05), while no significant association was noted between slgG1 and slgG4 or slgE (p+ADw-0.05, respectively). There was a significant correlation between slgE and slgG4 level (r+AD0-0.39, p+ADw-0.05). These findings suggest that the presence of slgG1 to CRM is response to CRM exposure, and further studies will be needed to evaluate the role of slgG4.

Clinical characteristics and sensitisation to common aeroallergens in patients with asthma and rhinitis

Allergic disorders such as asthma and rhinitis are common and their prevalence is rising Differences in climatic and living conditions may modify the disease prevalence. The causes of allergic asthma and rhinitis vary considerably in different parts of the world depending on the type of the allergens present in the environment. We studied the clinical characteristics and causative allergens in patients with asthma and rhinitis. All patients seen in a respiratory allergy clinic with symptoms suggestive of rhinitis and asthma over a twelve months period were invited to participate in a prospective study. A detailed history was obtained, seeking information on the type and duration of symptoms and current treatment. Skin prick test [SPT] to a standard battery of common aeroallergens were performed. The analysis in confined to 109 adults and children who fulfilled the criteria. Common presenting symptoms for rhinitis were rhinorrhoea and sneezing and for asthma; dyspnea, cough and wheezing. Antihistamines were most commonly used [35%] in rhinitis and bronchodilator [54%] in asthma. Overall, skin test were positive to one or more common allergens in 91 [84%]. The rate of sensitization was 88% in asthma and 82% in rhinitis. Dust-mites by far the commonest allergen with 60-70 sensitised. Between 30-40% were positive to pollens, fungi and cat dander. The pattern of sensitization was similar in patients with asthma and rhinitis. Conclusion: Interesting differences were observed in the presenting complaints, treatment prescribed and pattern of sensitization to common allergens form conducted in the western world. This may reflect difference in environmental factors and way of living

Polinosis en la región de Bahía Blanca / Pollinosis in the region of Bahía Blanca

El presente trabajo pretende mostrar una descripción actualizada de las polinosis en nuestra zona. Se efectuó el relevamiento profesional de las plantas conocidas y/o sospechadas como alergógenas en la región de Bahía Blanca. Se estudió el polen absoluto en el aire durante 3 años. Se realizó un calendario floral de 30 especies, controlando sus inflorescencias durante el mismo lapso. Fueron preparados extractos con los pólenes antecitadas y posteriormente testificados en cien pacientes afectados por polinosis. Ochenta y seis enfermos mostraron pruebas positivas a gramíneas compuestas y quenopodiáceas; sólo catorce fueron positivos a gramíneas únicamente. Los síntomas por estos últimos pólenes fueron particularmente frecuentes e intensos en el mes de noviembre, correspondiendose con la floración de aquella familia. Sin embargo, a pesar de las reacciones positivas - marcadas y frecuentes - para quenopodiáceas, las consultas durante el verano disminuyeron ostensiblemente. No fue demostrada una correlación clínica significativa entre la floración de las compuestas y la signosintomatología del grupo estudiado. Consideramos imprescindible el acabado conocimiento de la flora alergógena y su calendario floral para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la polinosis

Reactividad cutánea a alimentos en pacientes con rinoconjuntivitis alérgica / Food allergens in pacients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis

La alergia ocular puede ser inducida por alimentos o por alergenos inhalantes; sin embargo, hay pocos estudios pediátricos al respecto. Objetivo: evaluar la relación de reactividad cutánea a alimentos y compararla con la de los inhalantes en pacientes pediátricos con rinoconjuntivitis. Método: se incluyeron 50 pacientes entre 6 y 16 años y se les realizaron pruebas a inhalantes y alimentos, IgE sérico total, citología de mucosa nasal y ocular. Para el análisis estadistico se utilizaron la prueba de T de Student no pareada, análisis de varianza de una vía, Ji cuadrada, medidas de tendencia central y dispersión. Resultados: la edad promedio fue de 9.1 años ñ 2.5 días. Las pruebas cutáneas resultaron positivas en 20 por ciento sólo para alimentos, 50 por ciento para inhalantes y 30 por ciento para ambos. Los alergenos alimentarios más frecuentes fueron mariscos, jitomate, arroz, cacahuate. El de los inhalantes fue Dermatophagoides pteronissinus. Se observó IgE sérica más elevada y citología ocular positiva en el grupo con respuesta positiva a alimentos, con diferencia significativa (p= 0.023) en relación con inhalantes. Conclusiones: en el grupo de estudio se encontraron pacientes con alergia ocular con alta frecuencia de hipersensibilidad a los alimentos (50 por ciento)

Rinitis alérgica / Allergic rhinitis

La rinitis alérgica es el proceso inflamatorio que afecta a la cubierta externa de la nariz, se caracteriza por la presencia de los siguientes síntomas: congestión nasal, rinorrea, estornudos, prurito nasal y/o ocular y en ocasiones descarga retronasal y tos. Afecta tanto a niños como a adultos siendo más frecuente durante la infancia. Es considerada una de las enfermedades alérgicas más frecuentes, se estima su prevalancia en 5-22 por ciento y su incidencia en 10-20 por ciento en población general y de 5-9 por ciento en población pediátrica. Resulta de la interacción entre un alergeno específico (ácaros del polvo, hongos y epitelio de animales), irritantes o contaminantes ambientales y la mucosa nasal, que llevan al desarrollo de una respuesta inflamatoria alérgica temprana y tardía ya sea local o sistémica

Alergenos más frecuentes causantes de sensibilización respiratoria / More frequent allergens causing of respiratory sensitization

Se realizó una revisión prospectiva-retrospectiva de 50 expedientes clínicos de pacientes que acudieron al Servicio de Alergia e Inmunología Clínica del Centro Hospitalario 20 de Noviembre, con alergia respiratoria. Se determinó la frecuencia de la sensibilización respiratoria a diversos alergenos utilizados en la práctica clínica en forma convencional mediante intradermorreacciones. Los pacientes fueron más sensibles al polvo casero y Capriola dactylon (100 por ciento y 50 por ciento, rspectivamente). Otros alergenos causantes de sensibilización en los pacientes fueron: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus(42 por ciento); Lolium perenne (34 por ciento), Amaranthus palmeri (20 por ciento), y Artemisa ludovisiana (18 por ciento) entre otros