Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing, inflammatory skin disease. Children with AD tend to have a higher prevalence of food allergies. This study investigated the clinical significance of food sensitization in AD patients. A total of 266 AD patients participated in this study. The prevalence of food sensitization and clinically relevant sensitization were compared in the subjects according to their age and AD severity. Sera from all patients were analyzed for food-specific IgE levels using the Pharmacia CAP System FEIA. The serum specific IgE levels for egg, milk, peanut and soybean were measured. Patients were regarded as sensitized to the food if their food-specific IgE levels were above 0.35 kUA/L. Also the food-specific IgE levels, the so-called diagnostic decision point, which is recommended as the clinically relevant level, for clinical food allergy, as suggested by Sampson et al, was used as an alternative method. From the measurement of food-specific IgE antibodies of the four foods, egg was the most highly sensitized and the main causative allergenic food in children with AD. The positive rates of specific IgE to the four major food allergens, and the prevalences of clinically relevant food sensitization, were higher for all foods tested in the group less than 1 year of age, and were significantly higher in moderate to severe AD compared to mild AD in infants and young children. In summary, presence of food specific IgE is prevalent in infants and young children with AD, and clinically relevant food sensitization is important in Korean infants and children with moderate to severe AD.
Child, Preschool ; Dermatitis, Atopic/*immunology ; Egg Hypersensitivity/epidemiology ; Female ; Food Hypersensitivity/diagnosis/*epidemiology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E/blood ; Infant ; Male ; Milk Hypersensitivity/epidemiology ; Peanut Hypersensitivity/epidemiology ; Soybeans/immunology

PURPOSE: The occurrence of pollen allergy is subject to exposure to pollen, which shows regional and temporal variations. We evaluated the changes in pollen counts and skin positivity rates for 6 years, and explored the correlation between their annual rates of change. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We assessed the number of pollen grains collected in Seoul, and retrospectively reviewed the results of 4442 skin-prick tests conducted at the Severance Hospital Allergy-Asthma Clinic from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2013. RESULTS: For 6 years, the mean monthly total pollen count showed two peaks, one in May and the other in September. Pollen count for grasses also showed the same trend. The pollen counts for trees, grasses, and weeds changed annually, but the changes were not significant. The annual skin positivity rates in response to pollen from grasses and weeds increased significantly over the 6 years. Among trees, the skin positivity rates in response to pollen from walnut, popular, elm, and alder significantly increased over the 6 years. Further, there was a significant correlation between the annual rate of change in pollen count and the rate of change in skin positivity rate for oak and hop Japanese. CONCLUSION: The pollen counts and skin positivity rates should be monitored, as they have changed annually. Oak and hop Japanese, which showed a significant correlation with the annual rate of change in pollen count and the rate of change in skin positivity rate over the 6 years may be considered the major allergens in Korea.
Allergens/*immunology ; Asthma/epidemiology/immunology ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity/*epidemiology ; Pollen/*immunology ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal ; *Skin Tests

This study was aimed to evaluate the prevalence of soy protein hypersensitivity in cow's milk protein-sensitive children in Korea. A total of 1,363 patients with atopic dermatitis, urticaria, enterocolitis syndrome, bronchial asthma or allergic rhinitis were recruited. First, we estimated the prevalence of sensitization to soy in children sensitized to cow's milk. Specific IgE levels > 0.7 kU/L by CAP assay were considered positive. Next, the prevalence of soy allergy in cow's milk allergy (CMA) patients was investigated. Those children whose parents agreed to participate the open challenge test with soy had a convincing history of allergic reactions elicited by cow's milk and these symptoms were relieved by elimination. All of them had negative soy-specific IgE. Patients with positive soy-specific IgE accounted for 18.3% of 224 children sensitized to cow's milk protein. The prevalence of sensitization to soy decreased with age (36.8% in the first year of life, 16.4% in the second year, and 13.7% in the third year). Of 21 CMA patients, 42.9% (n=9) were determined to have soy allergy (mean age 10.3 months). Our results suggest that soy protein formula should be carefully used as a substitute for cow's milk in CMA patients, especially during infancy.
Adolescent ; Age Factors ; Allergens ; Asthma/immunology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Dermatitis, Atopic/immunology ; Enterocolitis/immunology ; Female ; Food Hypersensitivity/*epidemiology/immunology ; Human ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoglobulin E/blood/metabolism ; Infant ; Korea ; Male ; Milk Hypersensitivity/*epidemiology/immunology ; Prevalence ; Rhinitis/immunology ; Soybean Proteins/*chemistry ; Urticaria/immunology

OBJECTIVE: To investigate aeroallergen spectrum and allergy positive rates of patients with child allergic rhinitis and analyze its related factors. METHOD: Skin prick test was carried out in 562 cases with child allergic rhinitis using 13 inhaled allergens, and detailed history was collected in all cases. RESULT: Four hundred and fifty-seven (81.3%) of 562 cases showed positive reaction to at least one allergen out of 13 allergens. The most common allergens found in patients was Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, and positive reaction was 93.1% in child allergic rhinitis, followed by tropical mite, Periplaneta americana, Blattella germanica and dog hair. The pollen allergen, most common in American and European, was pretty rare in this study. The prevalence of child allergic rhinitis was significantly higher in urban than in rural (P<0.01). There was no adverse effect appeared in children with allergic rhinitis underwent skin prick test. CONCLUSION The major allergen of allergic rhinitis is mite for child allergic rhinitis, and relates to housing enviroment. Most of patients with child allergic rhinitis can be treated by the mite specific immunotherapy. The skin prick test is a safe technique for diagnosis of children with allergic rhinitis.
Allergens ; immunology ; Animals ; Asthma ; epidemiology ; immunology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity, Immediate ; immunology ; Male ; Mites ; immunology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; epidemiology ; immunology ; Skin Tests

The prevalence of allergic diseases in children has increased for several decades. We evaluated the correlation between pollen count of weeds and their sensitization rate in Seoul, 1997-2009. Airborne particles carrying allergens were collected daily from 3 stations around Seoul. Skin prick tests to pollen were performed on children with allergic diseases. Ragweed pollen gradually increased between 1999 and 2005, decreased after 2005 and plateaued until 2009 (peak counts, 67 in 2003, 145 in 2005 and 83 grains/m3/day in 2007). Japanese hop pollen increased between 2002 and 2009 (peak counts, 212 in 2006 and 492 grains/m3/day in 2009). Sensitization rates to weed pollen, especially ragweed and Japanese hop in children with allergic diseases, increased annually (ragweed, 2.2% in 2000 and 2.8% in 2002; Japanese hop, 1.4% in 2000 and 1.9% in 2002). The age for sensitization to pollen gradually became younger since 2000 (4 to 6 yr of age, 3.5% in 1997 and 6.2% in 2009; 7 to 9 yr of age, 4.2% in 1997 and 6.4% in 2009). In conclusion, sensitization rates for weed pollens increase in Korean children given increasing pollen counts of ragweed and Japanese hop.
Adolescent ; Allergens/*immunology ; Ambrosia/immunology/*metabolism ; Asthma/epidemiology/immunology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity/*epidemiology/immunology ; Male ; Pollen/*immunology ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal/epidemiology/immunology ; Skin Tests

The prevalence of allergic diseases in children has increased for several decades. We evaluated the correlation between pollen count of weeds and their sensitization rate in Seoul, 1997-2009. Airborne particles carrying allergens were collected daily from 3 stations around Seoul. Skin prick tests to pollen were performed on children with allergic diseases. Ragweed pollen gradually increased between 1999 and 2005, decreased after 2005 and plateaued until 2009 (peak counts, 67 in 2003, 145 in 2005 and 83 grains/m3/day in 2007). Japanese hop pollen increased between 2002 and 2009 (peak counts, 212 in 2006 and 492 grains/m3/day in 2009). Sensitization rates to weed pollen, especially ragweed and Japanese hop in children with allergic diseases, increased annually (ragweed, 2.2% in 2000 and 2.8% in 2002; Japanese hop, 1.4% in 2000 and 1.9% in 2002). The age for sensitization to pollen gradually became younger since 2000 (4 to 6 yr of age, 3.5% in 1997 and 6.2% in 2009; 7 to 9 yr of age, 4.2% in 1997 and 6.4% in 2009). In conclusion, sensitization rates for weed pollens increase in Korean children given increasing pollen counts of ragweed and Japanese hop.
Adolescent ; Allergens/*immunology ; Ambrosia/immunology/*metabolism ; Asthma/epidemiology/immunology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity/*epidemiology/immunology ; Male ; Pollen/*immunology ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal/epidemiology/immunology ; Skin Tests

OBJECTIVEFood allergy as one of social health problems has gained more attention of people. However, few reports on prognosis of food allergy, the relation between infant food allergy and other allergic diseases, and factors affecting prognoses of infant food allergy in China. The present study was designed to investigate the evolution of infancy food allergy and to explore predicting factors of the tolerance to these foods and factors of other allergic diseases to provide a clue for managing children with food allergy reasonably and to improve their prognoses.

METHODSTotally 119 children with food allergy during infancy, who were diagnosed in the Department of Primary Child Care, Children's Hospital, Chongqing University of Medical Sciences from January 2000 to June 2003, were studied retrospectively by analyzing the follow-up data before March 2004. The occurrence of food tolerance and other allergic diseases were counted. Kaplan-Meier methods were used to calculate the cumulative tolerance probability. And the predicting factors of persistent food allergy and influential factors of other allergic diseases were analyzed by unconditional Logistic regression models.

RESULTSThe cumulative tolerance probabilities of cow's milk and egg were 42% and 31% one year after diagnosis respectively, 63% and 62% 2 years later, 77% and 80% 3 years later, and 100% after 4 years. And the severity of skin prick test reactions to cow's milk and egg was the predicting factor for persisting hypersensitivity to cow's milk and egg (OR = 2.535, 95% CI: 1.159-5.543; OR = 2.654, 95% CI: 1.302-5.410, P < 0.05). Thirteen cases presented with hypersensitivity to other foods (15.6 +/- 6.1) months after the diagnosis was confirmed, and the risk factor was the long-lasting hypersensitivity to egg (OR = 6.109, 95% CI: 1.818-20.527, P < 0.05). After 4 cases and 15 cases were diagnosed as allergic rhinitis and asthma, respectively, (16.8 +/- 8.3) months after diagnoses and the risk factors were the long-lasting hypersensitivity to egg and the respiratory symptoms (OR = 3.596, 95% CI: 1.429-9.045; OR = 4.235, 95% CI: 1.152-15.563, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAt least 75% of children with egg or cow's milk allergy could develop tolerance to egg or cow's milk within 3 years after diagnoses; 10.9%, 12.6% and 3.4% of children with food allergy suffered from other food allergy, asthma and allergic rhinitis. Strengthening the screening and management of children at high risk for persistent food allergy will contribute to improvement of the prognoses of food allergy.

Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Food Hypersensitivity ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; immunology ; Humans ; Immune Tolerance ; Infant ; Male ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo analyze the allergic status to common inhalant allergens and food allergens in clinical patients in Harbin in northeastern China and provide evidence to develop the prevention strategy of allergic disease.

METHODSThe data were collected from 5 473 patients with clinical suspected allergic diseases seeking medical care in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University. Among these patients, 2 530 (46.2%) were males aged 0-86 years, the youngest was only 1 month old and 2 579 (47.1%) were young children and teenagers. The serum specific Immunoglobulin E (sIgE) to 14 kinds of common allergens and serum total IgE were detected by using AllergyScreen test (Mediwiss Analytic GmbH, Moers, Germany).

RESULTSIn 5 473 subjects the positive rate of sIgE was 33.1% (n=1 813). Cow milk (6.9%) and wheat (3.1%) were the most common food allergens, followed by house dust mite mix (12.5%) and mould mix (9.4%) and the age and gender specific differences in the positive rate were significant. For the children aged <7 years the positive rates to cow milk, beef-mutton, and egg white/egg yolk were high, but the positive rates to house dust mite mix, ragweed estragon, and mould mix were low (P<0.05). For the adults the positive rates to aeroallergens were high while the rates to food allergens were low.

CONCLUSIONThe results from this study showed that the food allergens in Harbin had geographic characteristics, which support the viewpoint that the environment factors play an important role in the incidence of allergic diseases. Also, the detection of sIgE and total IgE are essential to identify relevant allergens for the purpose of early diagnosis, management and prevention of allergic disease.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Allergens ; analysis ; Animals ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Cities ; Female ; Food Hypersensitivity ; epidemiology ; immunology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Respiratory Hypersensitivity ; epidemiology ; immunology ; Sex Factors ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To investigate aeroallergen spectrum of patients with allergic rhinitis in Enshi area and analyze its related factors. METHOD: Skin prick test was carried out in 463 patients with allergic rhinitis with 13 inhaled allergens. Detailed history was collected in all cases. RESULT: Three hundred and eighty-seven cases (83.6%) showed positive reaction to at least one allergen of 13 allergens. The most common allergens found in patients were Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, followed by tropical mite, Periplaneta americana, Blattella germanica and dog hair. The positive reaction rate of single specie allergen were 51.9%, and most of them was positive to mites (49.6%). The positive reaction degree was significantly related to family history, asthma, age and housing enviroment. CONCLUSION The major allergen of allergic rhinitis was mite. The positive reaction degree related to genetics, asthma, age and housing enviroment.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Allergens ; immunology ; Animals ; Asthma ; immunology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity, Immediate ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mites ; immunology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; epidemiology ; immunology ; Skin Tests ; Young Adult

Although the association between obesity and asthma has been well documented, the nature of this association has yet to be clarified. The aim of this study was to examine the association of body mass index (BMI), lipid profiles, and atopy, wheezing, and lung function in older adults living in a rural area in Korea. BMI (kg/m2), lipid profiles, skin prick test, spirometry, and questionnaire including airway symptoms were obtained in a cross-sectional survey in 707 (259 males and 448 females) older adults (aged 50 to 93; mean, 65.7 yr) living in a high-altitude rural area in Korea. The prevalence of self-reported wheezing was 17.1% (121/707). The prevalence of atopy was 13.8%. The mean of BMI was 23.3+/-0.13 (14.6-32.8). The BMI was higher in females than in males (23.8+/-0.16 vs 22.4+/-0.17; p<0.01). The prevalence of wheezing was higher in group with BMI> or = 25 than in group with BMI<25 [57/201 (28.3%) vs 64/505 (12.6%), p<0.01]. The BMI was higher in group with wheezing than in group without wheezing (24.3+/-0.34 vs 23.1+/-0.13, p<0.01). No association between BMI and atopy was found. These findings suggest that BMI associated with wheezing in older adults.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; *Altitude ; Asthma/*epidemiology/metabolism ; *Body Mass Index ; Bronchial Hyperreactivity/immunology ; Comorbidity ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity/epidemiology/immunology ; Korea/epidemiology ; Lipids/blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Questionnaires ; Respiratory Function Tests ; *Respiratory Sounds/immunology ; Skin Tests