OBJECTIVETo investigate the distribution characteristics of serum specific IgE (sIgE) for inhaled allergens in children with different airway allergic diseases.

METHODSFluorescent enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay on the UniCAP250 system was performed to measure serum sIgE for 9 common inhaled allergens in 256 children aged 3-14 years with different airway allergic diseases. According to the clinical diagnosis, these children were divided into rhinitis group (37 children with allergic rhinitis), asthma group (82 children with bronchial asthma), and rhinitis-asthma group (137 children with allergic rhinitis complicated by bronchial asthma). The three groups were compared in terms of the detection rates of 9 inhaled allergens, sensitization level, and number of allergens.

RESULTSThe detection rate of serum sIgE for inhaled allergens was 57.3% (47/82) in the asthma group, 86.5% (32/37) in the rhinitis group, and 82.5% (113/137) in the rhinitis-asthma group (P<0.05). The most common allergen in the asthma, rhinitis, and the rhinitis-asthma groups was mould fungi (32.9%, 54.1%, and 48.9% respectively), followed by dust mites (30.5%, 45.9%, and 46.0% respectively), pollen (26.8%, 35.1%, and 32.8% respectively), pets (12.2%, 27.0%, and 18.2% respectively), and cockroach (9.8%, 5.4%, and 5.8% respectively). The rhinitis group and the rhinitis-asthma group had a significantly higher detection rate of mould fungi (mx2) than the asthma group (P<0.0166). There were no significant differences in the sensitization level of 9 allergens and number of allergens between the three groups.

CONCLUSIONSIn children with either bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, or bronchial asthma complicated by allergic rhinitis, the three most common inhaled allergens are mould fungi, dust mites, and pollens. Compared with bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis may be more closely associated with sensitization by mould fungi. The three common airway allergic diseases have similar distribution characteristics of inhaled allergens.