[Skin prick test in asthmatic, allergic rhinitis and urticaria patients]

ABSTRACT

Asthma, allergic rhinitis and urticaria are common diseases in the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the aeroallergen by skin prick test in patients, in Mazandaran province, Sari [Iran]. This was a prospective study of skin prick test of aeroallergens in patients with asthma, allergic rhinitis or both and urticaria based on clinical and Para clinical criteria. Eight hundred and nine cases were referred to Tooba and Boo-Ali allergic centers in Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences between December 2006 and July 2010. The aeroallergens were included; House dust mites [DF, DP], Coach Roach, Feather, Aspergillus, Alternaria, Pigweed, Nettle, Oak, Maple and others. Negative [normal saline] and positive controls [histamine] were applied for all patients. A total of three hundred and fifty out of 809 cases were males [43%] and 459 cases were Females [57%]. The age range was between 5 and 50 years old, 42.5 percent [n=340] of patients had ages between 10 and 20 years old. In asthma, allergic rhinitis or both and urticaria, the prick test DF 32%, DP 33%, Cockroach 22% and feather 9 were positive. Other allergens were positive between 0 and 10 percent, except candida which was 28% positive. Total IgE levels and Eosinophil count was increased in 54 and 35 percent of cases, respectively. Due to warm and humid weather in north of Iran [Sari], house dust mites are more common