Distinct effect of sensitization of house dust mite and citrus red mite (Panonychus citri) in the development of allergic diseases in 16-18 year old adolescents living in rural areas of Jeju island / 천식및알레르기

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: A recent investigation has demonstrated that citrus red mite (Panonychus citri) is the most important allergen in citrus-cultivating farmers with asthma or rhinitis. METHODS: A total of 2,005 adolescents (aged 16 to 18 years) living in rural areas were enrolled in this study. Each subject was evaluated by a questionnaire developed by the International Study of Allergy and Asthma in Childhood(ISSAC), and a skin prick test with 11 common inhalant allergens including citrus red mite. RESULTS: Prevalence of recent wheezing, recent rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms and eczema was 13.0%, 13.6% and 9.9%, respectively. On skin prick test, the most common sensitizing allergen was citrus red mite (20.6%), followed by Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (18.5%), Dermato-phagoides farinae (14.6%) and cockroach (9.8). The prevalence of eczema was higher in those with sensitization to CRM than in those without sensitization to any allergens(p 0.05). On the contrary, the sensitization to house dust mites were significantly associated with the prevalence of asthma and allergic rhinitis. CONCLUSION: Citrus red mite was the most common sensitizing allergen in 16-18 year-old adolescents living in rural areas with citrus farms and sensitization to CRM was significantly associated with the prevalence of atopic dermatitis.