Atopy is a syndrome characterized by
immediate hypersensitivity reactions to common environmental
antigens. The "hygiene hypothesis" stipulates that childhood
infections are associated with a lower risk of
allergies. Not much has been published about the effects that the treatment of
pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) has on
allergies, specifically
allergic rhinitis. We conducted a study to investigate the prevalence of
allergic rhinitis in patients with pulmonary TB before and
after treatment of their TB. Our initial study group was made up of 121 patients with confirmed pulmonary TB who were followed up by questionnaire. In addition to demographic data, they provided information about their personal and family history of atopy and their current status with regard to
allergic rhinitis. After providing informed consent, all patients underwent skin-prick testing with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, and Blomia tropicalis
allergens before and after TB treatment. Stool samples were obtained to identify patients with worm infestation, and they were excluded from the study. In all, 94 patients completed treatment and follow-up, and their data were included in the final analysis. Of this group, 31 patients (33.0%) exhibited symptoms of
allergic rhinitis prior to TB treatment, and 26 (27.7%) had a positive skin-prick test. Following treatment, only 12 patients (12.8%) reported
allergic rhinitis symptoms (p = 0.004), but there was no significant reduction in the number of patients with a positive skin-prick test (n = 20 [21.3%]; p = 0.555). We conclude that the treatment of pulmonary TB results in significant relief of atopy, particularly
allergic rhinitis symptoms.