The spectrum of sensitization in school-age children with respiratory allergopatology

Abstract

Introduction: Allergic sensitization seems to be an important risk factor for subsequent onset of persistent respiratory allergic pathology during childhood and adulthood. Allergic disorders are referred to the most common with trend of increase of sensitization to allergens in the last decade. Purpose and Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate components of atopic sensitization to the most common allergens in children with perennial allergic rhinitis (AR) with/without concomitant bronchial asthma (BA). Materials and methods: On the base of the Children Clinical Hospital (Chernivtsi, Ukraine) 35 school-age children of 6-18 years old with perennial AR, 18 of whom were sick with concomitant BA, were examined. Hypersensitivity to 18 mite, epidermal, fungal allergens and insect cockroach allergen which mostly determine the perennial allergic clinical manifestations, and pollen (grass, trees) allergens significant for seasonal allergic manifestations, was studied according to the skin prick tests (SPT). Results: In 35% of patients the presence of sensitization to only one group of allergens was revealed, particularly in the 5% - to epidermal allergens of cat and dog and in 30% - to house dust mites. In the other children the sensitization to at least one of house dust mites and one other group of studied allergens was found. Polysensitization was found: in 35% of children to at least one more group of allergens, in 15% - up to two and in 5% - to all the studied four groups of allergens. In the groups of children with concomitant asthma and AR and exclusive AR no any differences in sensitization to fungi allergens according to prick tests were revealed. Conclusion: In more than half of children with respiratory allergies not only hypersensitivity mite allergens (D.pteronyssinus and D.farinae), but also a significant sensitization to at least one more group of aeroallergens was revealed.