IgE-mediated sensitization to mould allergens among patients with allergic respiratory diseases in a desert environment.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The importance of fungal allergens in the development of allergic diseases in a desert environment is uncertain. This study evaluated the prevalence of IgE sensitization to moulds among patients with allergic respiratory diseases in Kuwait - a desert country.

METHODS:

A total of 810 patients (male:female ratio 1.4) with a mean age of 32.3 years (range 2-76 years) with extrinsic asthma or allergic rhinitis were studied. Sera from the patients were tested by the CAP-RAST method for specific IgE to 6 fungi (Penicillium, Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Candida, Alternaria and Helminthosporium). For comparison house dust mite and Bermuda grass were also assessed.

RESULTS:

The overall positivity to at least one mould was 20.9%. Among 120 matched control subjects, the value was 5. 8%. The value was much higher among patients with asthma alone (45. 8%) or both asthma and rhinitis (28.3%) than those with rhinitis alone (11.8%; p < 0.001). Asthmatic children had the highest sensitization rate (66.0% in the 7- to 12-year age group), which declined sharply with age. Among asthmatics, Candida and Aspergillus had the highest sensitization rates (23.1 and 21.3%, respectively), followed by Helminthosporium (18.8%), Cladosporium (15.9%), Alternaria (14.6%) and Penicillium (13.9%). The values for mite and Bermuda grass were 41.2 and 54.6%, respectively. Among asthmatic children, severe asthma was significantly more frequent among mould-positive (51.6%) than mould-negative patients (17.5%; p < 0. 0001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Even in this desert environment, sensitization to moulds is quite common among patients with allergic respiratory diseases, with a striking preponderance among children with asthma. Mould allergy could also be an important factor determining asthma severity in this environment.

• Authors: C I Ezeamuzie, S Al-Ali, M Khan, Z Hijazi, A Dowaisan, M S Thomson, J Georgi
• Journal: International archives of allergy and immunology (Int Arch Allergy Immunol) Vol. 121 Issue 4 Pg. 300-7 (Apr 2000) ISSN: 1018-2438 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 10828720 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel

Chemical References

• Allergens
• Immunoglobulin E

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Allergens (immunology)
• Asthma (complications, immunology)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Desert Climate
• Female
• Humans
• Hypersensitivity, Immediate (epidemiology, immunology)
• Immunoglobulin E (blood)
• Kuwait
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Mitosporic Fungi (immunology)
• Radioallergosorbent Test
• Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial (complications, immunology)