Minimum prick test panel for adult patients with asthma and rhinitis in Ankara, Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: Determination of the number and type of allergens needed to be tested in epidemiological studies is important in order to identify most of the sensitized subjects with a cost-effective approach. This study aimed to investigate the minimum skin prick test panel for the identification of at least 95% of the sensitized subjects with symptoms of asthma and/or allergic rhinitis (AR) in Ankara, Turkey. METHODS: Skin prick test results of 7492 patients who were referred to our outpatient clinic with clinical symptoms of asthma and/or AR between 1991 and 2005 were evaluated retrospectively. Seven allergens were tested in all and 13 allergens in 4202 patients. The allergen group needed for detection of 95% of the sensitized subjects was determined for both the 7 and 13 allergen panels. The study protocol was approved by the local ethics committee of Hacettepe University. RESULTS: The atopy prevalences in the whole study population and in 4202 patients tested with the 13 allergen panel were calculated as 32.2% and 42.6%, respectively. Three allergens (Phleum pratense, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Artemisia vulgaris) within the 7 allergen panel were adequate for the identification of at least 95% of the sensitized subjects. Olea europae was added to the previous three allergens when the 13 allergen panel was applied. CONCLUSION: Three to four allergens are sufficient for identification at least 95% of sensitized subjects with asthma and/or AR in Ankara, Turkey.

The analysis of Hymenoptera hypersensitive patients in Ankara, Turkey

Background Although there are some published data about the prevalence of honeybee and vespid venom allergy from Turkey, there has been no report about Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy practice. Our aim was to determine the characteristics of Hymenoptera venom hypersensitivity and venom immunotherapy practice in Ankara, Turkey. Methods Demographic and clinical data, intradermal test, and serum specific IgE results of 65 Hymenoptera venom allergic patients who were followed up in our department from February 2005 to August 2009 were analysed. Results Serum Vespula specific IgE class (p:0.02) and Apis specific IgE class were high (p<0.0001) and Apis intradermal test results were positive (p<0.001) in accordance with the patients’ history. However, intradermal test results with Vespula were not consistent with self-reported Hymenoptera type (p:0.15). While Apis specific IgE and intradermal test results were correlated with each other (rho: 0.59, p<0.0001), Vespula specific IgE and intradermal test results were not (rho: 0.2, p:0.17). Intradermal test against Vespula did not discriminate between Apis and Vespula hypersensitive patients. There were no significant differences when the grade of reaction and specific IgE and intradermal test results were compared between Apis and Vespula. Conclusions Vespula venom hypersensitivity was more common among our patients. However, intradermal tests with Vespula had limited diagnostic sensitivity and were not correlated with serum specific IgE. Based on our results and previous reports, we recommend that negative skin test responses, especially with Vespula, need further investigation(AU)

The analysis of Hymenoptera hypersensitive patients in Ankara, Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Although there are some published data about the prevalence of honeybee and vespid venom allergy from Turkey, there has been no report about Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy practice. Our aim was to determine the characteristics of Hymenoptera venom hypersensitivity and venom immunotherapy practice in Ankara, Turkey. METHODS: Demographic and clinical data, intradermal test, and serum specific IgE results of 65 Hymenoptera venom allergic patients who were followed up in our department from February 2005 to August 2009 were analysed. RESULTS: Serum Vespula specific IgE class (p:0.02) and Apis specific IgE class were high (p<0.0001) and Apis intradermal test results were positive (p<0.001) in accordance with the patients' history. However, intradermal test results with Vespula were not consistent with self-reported Hymenoptera type (p:0.15). While Apis specific IgE and intradermal test results were correlated with each other (rho: 0.59, p<0.0001), Vespula specific IgE and intradermal test results were not (rho: 0.2, p:0.17). Intradermal test against Vespula did not discriminate between Apis and Vespula hypersensitive patients. There were no significant differences when the grade of reaction and specific IgE and intradermal test results were compared between Apis and Vespula. CONCLUSIONS: Vespula venom hypersensitivity was more common among our patients. However, intradermal tests with Vespula had limited diagnostic sensitivity and were not correlated with serum specific IgE. Based on our results and previous reports, we recommend that negative skin test responses, especially with Vespula, need further investigation.