OBJECTIVETo study the characteristics of allergic reactions to common aeroallergens in young children with wheezing or allergic diseases by examining the results of skin prick test in children under 5 years old.

METHODSA total of 196 children under 5 years old, from a district of Changsha City sampled between September 1 to December 31, 2010, were assigned into two groups according to the presence of wheezing or allergic diseases: allergen screening (n=102) and control (n=94). Skin prick tests were performed on both groups.

RESULTSThe positive rate of skin prick test in the allergen screening group was 61.8% (63/102), and this was significantly higher than in the control group (9.6%, 9/94; P<0.05). In the allergen screening group, the positive rate of skin prick test in children with both recurrent wheezing and allergic rhinitis was significantly higher than in children with wheezing alone (P<0.05). The frequency of wheezing was positively correlated with a positive skin prick test (r=0.91; P<0.05). The positive rate of skin prick test for mites was significantly higher than for other aeroallergens (24.2% vs 3.5%; P<0.05) in the allergen screening group. Skin prick testing of the children for dermatophagoides farinae showed a higher positive rate than for dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (50.0% vs 14.7%; P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSWheezing in early childhood may be associated with the occurrence of asthma. Skin prick testing contributes to the diagnosis of allergic diseases and assessment of allergic reactions to aeroallergens in children with wheezing.

Asthma ; etiology ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Respiratory Sounds ; diagnosis ; immunology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; diagnosis ; immunology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal ; diagnosis ; immunology ; Skin Tests

BACKGROUNDCockroaches are an important indoor allergen source causing allergic rhinitis and asthma. The aim of this study was to investigate the cockroach prevalence in mainland of China and the cross-reactivity of IgE between cockroach and house dust mite allergen in Chinese patients.

METHODSThe cockroach sensitization pattern was based on a skin prick test (SPT) obtained from a national multicenter prevalence study, in which 6304 patients from 25 allergy centers across China participated. Factors, including different regions of China, age, gender and the correlations between the American and German cockroaches and house dust mite Der p were investigated. Eighteen out of 1236 clinical sera from south China were selected to perform the cross-inhibition assay between house dust mites and cockroaches.

RESULTSTotally 25.7% of patients were SPT positive to the American cockroach (Periplaneta Americana, Per a) and 18.7% SPT positive to the German cockroach (Blattella germanica, Bla g). The prevalence of positive cockroach SPT was higher in southern than in northern China, higher in adults than in children, and higher in males than in females. Patients had relatively low levels of cockroach SPT reactions, mainly class 1 or 2. Of the SPT positive cockroach patients, 88% were also SPT positive to house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Der p). An IgE cross-inhibition study confirmed that Der p sensitization could cause false positive SPT reactions against cockroach.

CONCLUSIONSA relatively high prevalence of cockroach sensitivity was found in mainland of China. However, a cross-inhibition study showed that only a small number of patients appear to have Bla g and/or Per a as primary sensitizing source. The importance of cockroaches as a risk factor for sensitization and triggers of allergic symptoms in mainland of China needs to be further investigated.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Allergens ; immunology ; Animals ; Antigens, Dermatophagoides ; immunology ; Asthma ; etiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Cockroaches ; immunology ; Cross Reactions ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; epidemiology ; Immunoglobulin E ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; etiology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal ; etiology

It has been demonstrated that spider mites such as the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) are important allergens for fruit farmers. A total of 2,467 adults (795 metropolitan urban, 788 non-metropolitan urban, and 884 rural subjects) were enrolled. They responded to the questionnaire, and underwent methacholine bronchial provocation tests as well as skin prick tests to locally common aeroallergens including the two-spotted spider mite. The prevalences of asthma and rhinitis as reported on the questionnaire were 7.8% and 16.4% of adults aged 20-35, 9.4% and 24.7% of those 36-50, and 17.7% and 21.7% of those older than 50, respectively. Among the older group, the two-spotted spider mite was the most common sensitizing allergen, although it was second of that of house dust mites among the other two age groups. Sensitization to the two-spotted spider mite was significantly associated with the prevalence of asthma and rhinitis among the younger age group, and associated with the prevalence of rhinitis among the older age group. The twospotted spider mite might be a common sensitizing allergen in the general population of adults, and sensitization to this mite may play a role in the manifestation of asthma and rhinitis symptoms during adulthood.
Tetranychidae/*immunology ; Risk Factors ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/*etiology/immunology ; Questionnaires ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Humans ; Female ; Asthma/*etiology/immunology ; Animals ; Allergens ; Aged ; Age Factors ; Adult

Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic ; therapeutic use ; Asthma ; etiology ; immunology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Bronchial Hyperreactivity ; physiopathology ; Desensitization, Immunologic ; Humans ; Reflex ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; etiology ; immunology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal ; etiology ; immunology ; physiopathology ; therapy

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether sublingual immunotherapy(SLIT) can take effect during the early phase in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. METHOD: Sixty subjects diagnosed as allergic rhinoconjunctivitis were enrolled and divided into the SLIT group and the control group. The daily symptom and medication scores were recorded and analyzed. RESULT: After 4 weeks treatments, the daily symptoms score had significantly reduced in SLIT group(P<0. 05). After 6, 8, 10 weeks treatments, the daily symptoms scores of subjects in the SLIT group had all shown continuous reduction, with no consumption of medication. The comparison between daily symptom score at 4th week and those in 6th week or 8th week or 10th week in the SLIT group had shown no significant difference (all P > 0.05). Whereas, the daily symptoms score and daily medication score in control group had shown changes with fluctuations. The correlation analysis had indicated that the daily medication score in the control group had a significant negative correlation with the daily symptom score (F = 554.9, P < 0.01). No serious adverse events occurred in this study. CONCLUSION SLIT could take effect in patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis sensitive to house dust mite as fast as the 4th week.
Administration, Sublingual ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Allergens ; immunology ; Animals ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Conjunctivitis, Allergic ; etiology ; therapy ; Desensitization, Immunologic ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pyroglyphidae ; immunology ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; etiology ; therapy ; Young Adult

Citrus red mite (CRM) is known as the most common sensitizing allergen in subjects with asthma and rhinitis working on citrus farms. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of specific IgG1 (slgG1) and specific IgG4 (slgG4) to CRM in citrus farmers. Questionnaire survey and skin prick test including CRM antigen was done by 136 workers. Specific IgE (slgE), slgG1 and slgG4 to CRM were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). CRM-sensitive-asthma was diagnosed upon presence of asthmatic symptoms by questionnaire, airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine and slgE to CRM. CRM-sensitive rhinitis was diagnosed upon presence of rhinitis symptoms and slgE to CRM. Eleven (8.1+ACU-) had CRM-sensitive asthma and 25 (18.4+ACU-) had CRM-sensitive rhinitis. Significant association was noted between presence of asthmatic symptoms and slgE or slgG4 (p+ADw-0.05, respectively), while no significant association was noted in slgG1 (p+AD4-0.05). Significant association was noted in the prevalence between slgG4 and slgE (p+ADw-0.05), while no significant association was noted between slgG1 and slgG4 or slgE (p+ADw-0.05, respectively). There was a significant correlation between slgE and slgG4 level (r+AD0-0.39, p+ADw-0.05). These findings suggest that the presence of slgG1 to CRM is response to CRM exposure, and further studies will be needed to evaluate the role of slgG4.Citrus red mite (CRM) is known as the most common sensitizing allergen in subjects with asthma and rhinitis working on citrus farms. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of specific IgG1 (slgG1) and specific IgG4 (slgG4) to CRM in citrus farmers. Questionnaire survey and skin prick test including CRM antigen was done by 136 workers. Specific IgE (slgE), slgG1 and slgG4 to CRM were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). CRM-sensitive-asthma was diagnosed upon presence of asthmatic symptoms by questionnaire, airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine and slgE to CRM. CRM-sensitive rhinitis was diagnosed upon presence of rhinitis symptoms and slgE to CRM. Eleven (8.1+ACU-) had CRM-sensitive asthma and 25 (18.4+ACU-) had CRM-sensitive rhinitis. Significant association was noted between presence of asthmatic symptoms and slgE or slgG4 (p+ADw-0.05, respectively), while no significant association was noted in slgG1 (p+AD4-0.05). Significant association was noted in the prevalence between slgG4 and slgE (p+ADw-0.05), while no significant association was noted between slgG1 and slgG4 or slgE (p+ADw-0.05, respectively). There was a significant correlation between slgE and slgG4 level (r+AD0-0.39, p+ADw-0.05). These findings suggest that the presence of slgG1 to CRM is response to CRM exposure, and further studies will be needed to evaluate the role of slgG4.
Adolescence ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Agricultural Workers' Diseases/immunology+ACo- ; Agricultural Workers' Diseases/epidemiology ; Animal ; Antibody Specificity ; Asthma/immunology ; Asthma/etiology ; Asthma/epidemiology ; Citrus/parasitology+ACo- ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Human ; IgE/blood ; IgG/immunology ; IgG/blood+ACo- ; Korea/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Age ; Mites/immunology+ACo- ; Occupational Exposure+ACo- ; Questionnaires ; Respiratory Hypersensitivity/immunology+ACo- ; Respiratory Hypersensitivity/epidemiology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/immunology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/etiology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/epidemiology ; Skin Tests

Citrus red mite (CRM) is known as the most common sensitizing allergen in subjects with asthma and rhinitis working on citrus farms. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of specific IgG1 (slgG1) and specific IgG4 (slgG4) to CRM in citrus farmers. Questionnaire survey and skin prick test including CRM antigen was done by 136 workers. Specific IgE (slgE), slgG1 and slgG4 to CRM were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). CRM-sensitive-asthma was diagnosed upon presence of asthmatic symptoms by questionnaire, airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine and slgE to CRM. CRM-sensitive rhinitis was diagnosed upon presence of rhinitis symptoms and slgE to CRM. Eleven (8.1+ACU-) had CRM-sensitive asthma and 25 (18.4+ACU-) had CRM-sensitive rhinitis. Significant association was noted between presence of asthmatic symptoms and slgE or slgG4 (p+ADw-0.05, respectively), while no significant association was noted in slgG1 (p+AD4-0.05). Significant association was noted in the prevalence between slgG4 and slgE (p+ADw-0.05), while no significant association was noted between slgG1 and slgG4 or slgE (p+ADw-0.05, respectively). There was a significant correlation between slgE and slgG4 level (r+AD0-0.39, p+ADw-0.05). These findings suggest that the presence of slgG1 to CRM is response to CRM exposure, and further studies will be needed to evaluate the role of slgG4.Citrus red mite (CRM) is known as the most common sensitizing allergen in subjects with asthma and rhinitis working on citrus farms. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of specific IgG1 (slgG1) and specific IgG4 (slgG4) to CRM in citrus farmers. Questionnaire survey and skin prick test including CRM antigen was done by 136 workers. Specific IgE (slgE), slgG1 and slgG4 to CRM were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). CRM-sensitive-asthma was diagnosed upon presence of asthmatic symptoms by questionnaire, airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine and slgE to CRM. CRM-sensitive rhinitis was diagnosed upon presence of rhinitis symptoms and slgE to CRM. Eleven (8.1+ACU-) had CRM-sensitive asthma and 25 (18.4+ACU-) had CRM-sensitive rhinitis. Significant association was noted between presence of asthmatic symptoms and slgE or slgG4 (p+ADw-0.05, respectively), while no significant association was noted in slgG1 (p+AD4-0.05). Significant association was noted in the prevalence between slgG4 and slgE (p+ADw-0.05), while no significant association was noted between slgG1 and slgG4 or slgE (p+ADw-0.05, respectively). There was a significant correlation between slgE and slgG4 level (r+AD0-0.39, p+ADw-0.05). These findings suggest that the presence of slgG1 to CRM is response to CRM exposure, and further studies will be needed to evaluate the role of slgG4.
Adolescence ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Agricultural Workers' Diseases/immunology+ACo- ; Agricultural Workers' Diseases/epidemiology ; Animal ; Antibody Specificity ; Asthma/immunology ; Asthma/etiology ; Asthma/epidemiology ; Citrus/parasitology+ACo- ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Human ; IgE/blood ; IgG/immunology ; IgG/blood+ACo- ; Korea/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Age ; Mites/immunology+ACo- ; Occupational Exposure+ACo- ; Questionnaires ; Respiratory Hypersensitivity/immunology+ACo- ; Respiratory Hypersensitivity/epidemiology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/immunology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/etiology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/epidemiology ; Skin Tests

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the allergen distribution of subjects suffered from the allergic rhinitis in Changji district. METHOD: Skin prick test was employed on all the 1 564 sufferers by 17 sorts of allergic stock solution, with the physiological saline to be the negative control and the histamine to be the positive control. RESULT: The positive rate of allergen citanest was 85.17%. Furthermore, Chenopodium and Lupulus, as the main allergen substances, were found out to be the highest positive rate among 1332 subjects who were detected to be positive, with pollen of trees following. Whereas, the positive rate of allergic rhinitis caused by dust mite, fungus and canine epidermis was relatively low. CONCLUSION The main allergens of the allergic rhinitis in Changji district are Chenopodium and Lupulus, similar as the dust mite. The allergen prick test, which is characterized as accuracy, sensitiveness and fastness, is an essential way to seek and screen those allergens. Thus, it can provide scientific instruction to the prevention of the allergic rhinitis in Changji district.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Allergens ; immunology ; Animals ; Asthma ; etiology ; immunology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Fungi ; immunology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mites ; immunology ; Pollen ; immunology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; epidemiology ; immunology ; Skin Tests ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of allergic factors in chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps.

METHODEosinophil in nasal secretions and allergen skin test of 1882 patients with chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps were examined before endoscopic sinus surgery. The occurrence ratios of allergic symptoms and syndromes were analyzed and compared with clinical stages of chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps.

RESULTS(1) Allergic symptoms (or syndromes) were presented in 60.4% (1137 cases) of patients in different degrees, 25.3% (477 cases) patients suffered from allergic rhinitis, 2.1% (39 cases) patients had asthma; (2) The morbidities of allergic rhinitis and asthma, the positive rates of eosinophil and allergen skin test, the occurrence rates of allergic symptoms were rising with the clinical stages in type I and type II, especially in type II stage 3; (3) There were 42.2% (795 cases) positive patients in allergen skin test, among them, 94% were sensitive to perennial allergens; (4) Allergic symptoms appeared in 26.3% (495 cases) patients, among them, 99.8% attacked perennially; (5) Of all patients, there were 38.9% (732 cases) had been operated cases before, among them 38.3% (280 cases) with allergy rhinitis. In chronic sinusitis with allergy rhinitis patients, 58.7% (477 cases) were suffered from operation.

CONCLUSIONSAllergic factors,especially perennial allergic rhinitis, are relative to clinical stages of chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps. Allergic rhinitis is an important factors in recurrence.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Allergens ; analysis ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasal Polyps ; etiology ; immunology ; Retrospective Studies ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; etiology ; immunology ; Sinusitis ; etiology ; immunology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the incidence of local reactions (LRs) and systemic reactions (SRs) of subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) and to analyze the potential risk factors of such reactions in Chinese population.

METHODThis is a retrospective study on 234 dust mite sensitized patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma who received allergen immunotherapy in our hospital from 2003 to 2010. Chart review was conducted to capture clinical data of reactions to immunotherapy. Parameters included signs and symptoms, the onset of reaction, and interventions in treating such reactions, particularly, the administration of epinephrine (EPI) and adjustment of vaccine dosage due to LRs and SRs.

RESULTThe 234 patients received a total of 7679 injections. Among them, 4973 LRs (64.8%) and 235 SRs (3.1%) were observed in 67 patients (28.6% of all patients). SRs included respiratory symptoms (205 events, 88.4%) and cutaneous symptoms (31.5%). Of the total of 235 SR events, 212 (90.2%) were presented as mild SRs and 23 (9.8%) were in severe SR category (grade III and grade IV, EAACI grading system). Overall, severe SRs accounted for 0.3% of total injections. Seventeen of the 23 SR events required epinephrine treatment (0.2% of total injections). Of the 67 patients, 61 completed the course of treatment after dose adjustment; 36 patients had their doses decreased prior to further advancing to target dose. Nineteen subjects tolerated splitting two injections at 30 minutes interval. Six patients advanced the dose based on protocol and another 6 had to stop immunotherapy. Most of the SRs (77.4%) occurred during the maintenance phase of immunotherapy. The levels of TIgE, SIgE D1 and SIgE D2 were found to be significantly higher in patients with SRs comparing to patients without SRs (P < 0.05). SRs more commonly occurred in patients with age less than 14 years than their older counterparts (95.5% vs. 85.6%, OR = 3.58, 95%CI = 1.040 - 12.322, P < 0.01). The incidence of SRs were significantly higher in asthma patients who received SCIT than non-asthma patients (OR = 2, 95%CI = 1.136 - 4.624).

CONCLUSIONOur study suggests that risk factors of SRs include maintenance phase (higher allergen vaccine doses), patients with asthma, age of less than 14 years, higher levels of TIgE, and SIgE D1 and SIgE D2. Effective management includes proper dose adjustment, splitting doses into 2 injections at 30 min apart, and strictly following immunotherapy indications.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Animals ; Antigens, Dermatophagoides ; administration & dosage ; immunology ; Asthma ; immunology ; therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Desensitization, Immunologic ; adverse effects ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity, Immediate ; epidemiology ; etiology ; therapy ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mites ; immunology ; Retrospective Studies ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; immunology ; therapy ; Risk Assessment ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult