佛山乐从地区家具工人变应性鼻炎变应原检测分析

目的 分析佛山乐从地区家具工人变应性鼻炎变应原阳性分布情况.方法 收集2014年1月至2016年6月就诊于本院五官科的变应性鼻炎患者500例为观察组,职业均为家具工人;另选取同期本院就诊的非家具工人变应性鼻炎患者500例为对照组.进行患者血清总IgE水平与血清特异性变应原检测及变应原皮肤点刺试验,探讨两组患者吸入性变应原的阳性分布情况,分析两种变应原检测方法的一致性.结果 观察组和对照组患者血清总IgE阳性率分别为95.6％(478/500)、92.8％ (464/500),组间比较差异无统计学意义(x2=3.59,P＞0.05).血清特异性变应原检测和变应原皮肤点刺试验结果显示,两组患者螨类(粉尘螨、屋尘螨、热带螨)变应原阳性率均最高,且观察组螨类、德国小蠊、交链孢菌属、多主枝孢菌属、树木、杂草、霉菌变应原阳性率均显著高于对照组(均P＜0.05).两种变应原检测方法的一致性较好(均Kappa值＞0.6).结论 相对于非家具工人,家具工人变应性鼻炎的螨类等多种变应原阳性率均升高.     

儿童哮喘变应原检测的临床意义

目的探讨变应原检测在儿童哮喘诊断及治疗的临床意义.方法采用变应原皮试液做皮肤点刺试验,部位选择前臂屈侧.变应原皮试液包括吸入性和食入性变应原.结果223例儿童哮喘变应原皮肤点刺试验阳性146例,阳性率65.5%.其中,吸入性变应原阳性125例,阳性率56.1%.食入性变应原阳性61例,阳性率27.4%.结论儿童哮喘以吸入性变应原过敏为主,其中以户尘螨、豚草花粉为最多,其次是粉尘螨.学龄期及学龄前期儿童变应原阳性率明显高于婴幼儿,且阳性率随着年龄增长而增高.变应原皮肤点刺试验可列为常规检查,作为儿童哮喘诊断及治疗的参考.     

89例小儿慢性咳嗽变应原检测的临床意义

目的探讨变应原与小儿慢性咳嗽的相互关系。方法对89例慢性咳嗽患儿及30例健康儿童,选择常见的吸入性变应原10种,食入性变应原10种进行皮肤点刺试验,部位选择前臂屈侧。结果89例慢性咳嗽患儿皮肤点刺试验阳性49例,阳性率54.9%。30例健康儿童皮肤点刺试验阳性8例,阳性率26.6%。两组经统计学处理有显著差异（P〈0.01）。结论慢性咳嗽与变应原关系密切,咳嗽迁延不愈可用变应原检测作为病因辅助诊断,以便避免过敏原的刺激减轻咳嗽症状。     

居室尘埃内毒素水平对广东城市和农村地区青少年气道反应性及特应性的影响

目的 探讨居室尘埃内毒素水平对广东城市和农村地区青少年气道反应性及特应性的影响.方法 根据初筛问卷结果选取13 ～ 14岁有喘息症状的青少年为病例组,广州188例(男109例,女79例),从化地区129例(男70例,女59例),同时选取同一年龄组的健康青少年作为正常对照组,广州231例(男125例,女106例),从化地区307例(男145例,女162例),进行哮喘与变应性鼻炎等相关疾病的详细问卷调查、变应原皮肤点刺试验、肺通气功能及组胺支气管激发试验以及外周血嗜酸性粒细胞计数;随机收集参与上述研究的青少年卧室床铺尘埃共156份(广州76份,从化80份),检测尘埃的内毒素水平,并将尘埃的内毒素水平与气道反应性(PD20-FEV1)和变应原皮肤点刺风团直径进行相关分析.结果 广州青少年喘息症状、哮喘、鼻炎症状以及变应性鼻炎的报告率显著高于从化地区(P＞0.0001),其报告率分别为广州28.6％、27.7％、66.0％、46.4％,从化地区5.0％、2.5％、31.0％、6.2％;支气管激发试验阳性率,屋尘螨、粉尘螨、猫毛与狗毛变应原皮肤点刺试验阳性率广州均高于从化(P＞0.0001);蟑螂变应原皮肤点刺试验阳性率从化高于广州(P＞0.0001).从化的青少年床铺中尘埃内毒素含量、浓度及密度的几何平均数(GM)均显著高于广州(P＞0.0001;从化:6452 EU,10.95 EU/mg,1794 EU/m2;广州:1591 EU,6.45 EU/mg,508.80 EU/m2).PD20-FEV1与内毒素总含量呈明显正相关(r=0.174,P＜0.05);屋尘螨及粉尘螨的SPT风团直径与内毒素总含量及分布密度均呈明显负相关(P＜0.01).结论 广州青少年喘息症状、哮喘、鼻炎症状以及变应性鼻炎的报告率显著高于从化地区.蜂螂是农村地区青少年仅次于螨的主要变应原.床铺中的内毒素水平与PD20-FEV1呈明显正相关,而与对屋尘螨及粉尘螨的皮试反应呈明显负相关.环境内毒素可能对儿童变应性疾病的发展具有保护作用.     

广州地区支气管哮喘患者常见吸入变应原调查分析

目的调查广州地区支气管哮喘发病相关的主要致敏变应原.方法对102例支气管哮喘缓解期患者,其中儿童48例,成人54例,用尘螨、霉菌、猫毛等12种常见吸入变应原进行皮肤点刺试验,并测定其中27例总IgE(TIgE)的水平.结果儿童组尘螨皮试阳性率最高(均为79.2%),其次是屋尘(72.9%).成年组尘螨皮试阳性率最高,粉尘螨和屋尘螨分别为59.3%、62.9%,其次为屋尘(40.7%).在动物毛发皮屑中,以狗毛为主,猫毛次之;对于所有变应原,儿童组的阳性百分率远远高于成年组;27例血清总IgE的均值为506.1KU/L,远高于正常人,其中皮试阳性者TIgE水平高于皮试阴性者(p<0.01).结论广州地区主要变应原均为尘螨,且哮喘儿童对尘螨过敏的阳性率显著高于成人.     

变应性鼻炎患者外周血中T-bet的表达及其与血清IgE的关系

目的 探讨变应性鼻炎患者中外周血单核细胞(PBMC)中T-bet mRNA的表达及其与特异性IgE(SIgE)、患者症状和嗜酸性粒细胞阳离子蛋白(ECP)的关系.方法 用Unicap CAP系统检测变应性鼻炎患者变应原,检测血清SIgE的和ECP含量.抽取其中35例对尘螨过敏的变应性鼻炎患者和15例正常人静脉血,密度梯度离心分离PBMC,其中部分PBMC用质量浓度为50μg/mL的螨变应原培养刺激,用逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)检测T-bet mRNA表达.结果 变应性鼻炎患者和正常患者T-bet mRNA表达强度与参照物β-actin的比率分别是0.418±0.101和0.706±0.091,两者比较差异有非常显著性意义(P＜0.01).T-bet mRNA的表达强度分别与变应性鼻炎患者症状评分、ECP的浓度没有相关性(r=-0.227;-0.033,P＞0.05).然而,T-bet mRNA表达强度和SIgE存在负相关关系(r=-0.375,P＜0.05),SIgE水平与过敏症状成正相关(r=0.426,P＜0.05).变应原刺激前后T-bet mRNA表达强度、ECP和SIgE变化差异没有显著性(P＞0.05).结论 变应原为螨的变应性鼻炎患者中,T-bet mRNA表达较正常人低,变应性鼻炎患者T-bet mRNA低表达是变应性鼻炎Th1/Th2失衡机制中的重要环节之一.T-bet mRNA的下调表达与变应性鼻炎患者症状严重程度和ECP浓度无关.在体外,特异性变应原的刺激对儿童和成人的T-bet表达、ECP和SIgE没有影响.T-bet是间接影响IgE水平的因素之一.SIgE水平客观直接地反应过敏的严重程度,但T-bet没有,它只是可能影响IgE水平的间接因素之一.     

变应性鼻炎和哮喘的变应原皮试和脱敏治疗

对２００例变应性鼻炎、哮喘或二者兼有的病人进行变应原皮肤试验。发现上海地区７４％的上述病人中对２种或２种以上抗原过敏，其中除屋尘、尘螨是最常见的变应原外，对花粉、昆虫、真菌、羽毛等过敏也占相当比例。应用相应的变应原对病人进行脱敏治疗，其中５９例疗程大于６个多月，最长为２年半。结果显示脱敏治疗对变应性鼻炎和哮喘均有效。总有效率为８４．７％。鼻炎更好。凡疗程越长，效果越好。     

广州地区呼吸道疾病患儿16种常见变应原检测分析

目的 了解广州地区呼吸道疾病患儿对16种常见变应原的过敏情况,同时探讨不同年龄组之间的变应原阳性率差异,并比较致敏程度.方法 选择2007年8月至2008年3月广州医学院第一附属医院呼吸科门诊和儿科门诊初诊为支气管哮喘、过敏性鼻炎、呼吸道感染等患儿320例为研究对象,其中婴幼儿组(≤3岁)214例,儿童组(>3岁)106例.采用德国FOOKE ALLERG-O-LIQ-SYSTEM变应原检测系统,通过免疫捕获法检测血清中常见的16种变应原特异性免疫球蛋白E(SIgE)抗体.结果 在所有患儿中,其中261例(81.56%)SIgE呈阳性.59例(18.44%)呈阴性.16种变应原SIgE阳性率为屋尘螨(36.88%)、粉尘螨(35.31%)、热带螨(24.06%)、狗毛(6.56%)、猫毛(8.75%)、德国小蠊(16.56%)、蜜蜂毒素(0.94%)、屋尘(45.63%)、全蛋(45.94%)、牛奶(46.25%)、小麦面粉(6.88%)、玉米粉(1.25%)、花生(9.06%)、大豆(5.94%)、螃蟹(2.81%)、虾(4.38%).婴幼儿组SIgE的阳性率为81.78%,以食物性变应原(牛奶、全蛋)为主;儿童组的阳性率为81.13%,以吸人性变应原(尘螨)为主(X2=0.02,P=0.89).儿童组尘螨的过敏阳性率均高于婴幼儿组(P<0.05),且儿童组屋尘螨和粉尘螨的过敏程度多在3级以上.婴幼儿组各级阳性率比较平均.两组对热带螨的过敏程度均较低,多在3级以下.婴幼儿组牛奶和全蛋过敏阳性率高于儿童组(P<0.05),两组的过敏程度均在3级以下.结论 儿童组与婴幼儿组对常见变应原的总阳性率差异无统计学意义,只是对不同变应原阳性率及过敏程度的差异.儿童组主要是对吸人性变应原产生过敏,婴幼儿组主要是对食物性变应原产生过敏,应以不同年龄段来分析儿童变应原检测结果.     

广州地区支气管哮喘患者常见吸入变应原调查分析

目的　调查广州地区支气管哮喘发病相关的主要致敏变应原 .方法　对 10 2例支气管哮喘缓解期患者 ,其中儿童 4 8例 ,成人 5 4例 ,用尘螨、霉菌、猫毛等 12种常见吸入变应原进行皮肤点刺试验 ,并测定其中 2 7例总IgE(TIgE)的水平 .结果　儿童组尘螨皮试阳性率最高 (均为 79.2 % ) ,其次是屋尘 (72 .9% ) .成年组尘螨皮试阳性率最高 ,粉尘螨和屋尘螨分别为 5 9.3%、6 2 .9% ,其次为屋尘 (4 0 .7% ) .在动物毛发皮屑中 ,以狗毛为主 ,猫毛次之 ;对于所有变应原 ,儿童组的阳性百分率远远高于成年组 ;2 7例血清总IgE的均值为 5 0 6 .1KU/L ,远高于正常人 ,其中皮试阳性者TIgE水平高于皮试阴性者 (p<0 .0 1) .结论　广州地区主要变应原均为尘螨 ,且哮喘儿童对尘螨过敏的阳性率显著高于成人     

螨与儿童哮喘的皮肤点刺试验和预防

目的探讨螨与儿童哮喘的皮肤点刺试验和预防。方法将各种已知变态原反应试剂在小儿的手前臂内侧皮肤上进行点刺试验。于15min内出结果，从而得出受试者的敏感性类型，将其与有关的临床情况相结合，便可确定患者的变态反应性质。结果随机抽查近两年来我院做皮肤点刺试验患儿人数4421例，其中哮喘、变异性咳嗽、支气管肺炎、鼻炎、结膜炎等病人1438例，以粉螨、尘螨阳性病人占1124例，阳性率为78．2％。结论环境中所有常见的变应原都有可使易感个体产生过敏，如再次接触则可发展成为哮喘，所有变应原中，室内尘螨最重要，因为人自出生便可接触到，婴儿期是致敏的最重要时期，尘螨，是最多的，也是儿童的易感者最易遇到的变应原。因此尽快采用预防手段才是最重要的，因为它可完全改变哮喘的结局，做好预防和控制。     

Occurrence of atopy in asthmatic children

Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases among children. The prevalence of asthma among adult and children has systematically increased for the last thirty years. It was hypothesized that atopy was a strong background predisposing to asthma. The aim of the study was to assess the occurrence of atopy in children suffering from asthma. Two groups of children were examined. The study group consisted of 24 children aged 3-7 suffering from asthma and 26 children with bronchitis. Data about each patient's personal and family allergic history were collected. Each child had skin prick tests with common allergens made, total and specific IgE level was measured and blood eosinophil count and spirometry were performed. The result showed that asthma in 88% of the children had an atopic background. Above 70% of the children had allergic diseases other than asthma--the most common was allergic rhinitis (54%) and atopic dermatitis (37.5%). Skin tests revealed that the examined children were mostly sensitized to the allergens of house dust (85.7%), house dust mite (66.6%), and grass pollen (33.3%). Atopic features were also found in children suffering from recurrent bronchitis.     

Salsola pollen as a predominant cause of respiratory allergies in Kuwait.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory allergies are common in Kuwait, and the role of certain allergens has been previously documented. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of skin prick tests to a range of allergens that were considered relevant to the vegetation surveys and aerobiological studies performed in Kuwait. METHOD: New patients attending our center during August 2002 to February 2003 with asthma or allergic rhinitis underwent skin prick tests to a battery of allergens. RESULTS: A total of 451 patients aged 5 to 60 years (mean age, 29.5 years) were tested. Of these patients, 403 (89.4%) had a positive test result to at least one allergen and were considered allergic. A total of 76.7% of the allergic patients had a positive reaction to Salsola pollen, with a mean wheal diameter of 8.25 mm (median, 8 mm). Chenopodium album was positive in 57.6% and Bermuda grass was positive in 38.2% of the allergic cases. Indoor allergens seemed to play a lesser role than pollens: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus was positive in only 37.5%, and American and German cockroaches were positive in 33.2% and 22.3%, respectively. All the allergens other than Salsola elicited a mean wheal diameter of less than 6.25 mm (median, < or = 6 mm). CONCLUSIONS: Indoor allergens seem to play a lesser role in respiratory allergies in Kuwait. Most allergic patients become sensitized to pollens; the strongest and most frequent reaction is from Salsola pollen. Salsola imbricata is found growing extensively in most areas of the country, flowering mainly in autumn, when the most common pollen is of the Chenopod-Amaranth type and when most patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis become symptomatic.     

High incidence of sensitization to ornamental plants in allergic rhinitis

BACKGROUND: A few indoor plants have been described as potential allergens, in single case reports of allergic rhinitis. There is no data evaluating the prevalence of allergic sensitization to these plants. AIM: The relationship between owning indoor ornamental plants with the risk to be sensitized has been evaluated in atopic rhinitis. METHODS: A group of 59 patients with allergic rhinitis were submitted to skin prick tests (SPT) using both the leafs of their own plant and commercial extracts of the most frequent airborne allergens. A control group of 15 healthy subjects was tested with the same allergens. RESULTS: While no subject from the control group developed a significant SPT to any of the tested plants, 78% of allergic rhinitis had positive SPT to at least one plant, the most frequent sensitization being Ficus benjamina, yucca, ivy and palm tree. CONCLUSION: In allergic rhinitis, indoor plants should be considered as potential allergens.     

Sensitization to local dust-mite fauna in Singapore

BACKGROUND: Recent studies showed the presence of a unique dust-mite fauna in the indoor environment of Singapore. Immediate hypersensitivity to these dust mites, along with other known indoor allergens, may play a role in the pathogenesis of allergic respiratory diseases. This study evaluated the sensitization rates of the local atopic population to these allergens. METHODS: The skin prick test was performed on a total of 391 individuals (289 patients with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis and 102 healthy controls) using extracts of six species of local dust mites (Austroglycyphagus malaysiensis, Blomia tropicalis, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, D. farinae, Sturnophagoides brasiliensis, and Tyrophagus putrescentiae) and 10 other common indoor allergens. Total serum IgE and specific IgE to these dust mites were also quantified with the fluorescence allergosorbent test (FAST). RESULTS: The sensitization rates among patients with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis to dust mites and other inhalant allergens tested (via skin prick tests) were as follow: B. tropicalis (96.2%), D. pteronyssinus (93.4%), D. farinae (92.3%), A. malaysiensis (78.2%), S. brasiliensis (71.6%), T. putrescentiae (71.3%), canary feathers (69.9%), Periplaneta americana (cockroach) (59.5%), Blattella germanica (cockroach) (56.4%), mosquito (Aedes sp.) (46.4%), dog epithelia (mixed breed) (34.3%), kapok seed (31.8%), cat hair (29.1%), Aspergillus fumigatus (20.8%), Penicillium notatum (18.0%), and Candida (Monilia) albicans (9.3%). All patients were observed to react to at least three of the six dust-mite extracts, with 254/289 (87.9%) reacting to at least five or to all six. Skin prick responses to the dust mites were found to correlate with the corresponding specific IgE levels quantified by FAST (P<0.001). In addition, specific IgE levels to D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae were highly correlated (Spearman's rank coefficient = 0.76, P<0.001), as were those to B. tropicalis and A. malaysiensis (r = 0.60, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Asthma and/or allergic rhinitis patients were highly sensitized to the local dust-mite fauna. Thus, these dust mites should be considered important allergenic sources of this region.     

Prevalence of positive skin prick tests, allergic asthma, and rhinoconjunctivitis in teenagers in northern Sweden

The prevalence of positive skin prick tests (SPT) for common allergens and symptoms of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis or asthma was investigated in Umeå in northern Sweden in 1987. Skin prick tests with 10 allergens common in Sweden and a questionnaire were used to examine 1112 teenagers. All subjects with a positive skin prick test or symptoms were interviewed, and they were further investigated by a serum specific IgE test, a ventilatory lung function test, and a physical examination. At least one skin prick test was positive in 43% of the subjects. Ninety-three percent had at least one positive skin prick test to one of the three most common allergens: cat, timothy grass, and birch. The prevalence of current allergic rhinoconjunctivitis was 17%, current allergic asthma 2.8%, and current asthma (both allergic and nonallergic) 6.8%. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the most important risk factors for current asthma were sex (being a girl) and atopy. Heredity of asthma or rhinoconjunctivitis and being born in the winter (October-March) also increased the risk. In atopic subjects, having a mother who smoked and heredity of asthma increased the risk. For allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, heredity increased the risk of getting rhinoconjunctivitis.     

Clinical features of legume allergy in children from a Mediterranean area

BACKGROUND: Lentils, chickpeas, beans, and peas are the most common consumed legumes in the Mediterranean area. However, there is little information about allergy to these legumes. OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical features of a Spanish pediatric population allergic to legumes (lentils, chickpeas, peas, white beans, and peanuts), to evaluate the clinical allergy to several legumes, and to determine which legume extract is most appropriate to use in the diagnosis of legume allergy by skin tests. METHODS: Fifty-four children with allergic reactions after exposure to legumes were studied. The diagnosis of legume allergy was confirmed by positive skin prick test results with legume extracts and food challenges or a recent convincing history of severe reactions. RESULTS: The onset of allergic reactions was at approximately the age of 2 years (median, 22 months). Skin prick test results were positive for at least 3 legumes in 38 children (70%). Positive results were more frequent to boiled extracts than to raw extracts in children with a positive oral challenge. Allergy to lentil was the most frequently diagnosed legume allergy (43 children [80%]), followed by allergy to chickpea (32 children [59%]). Oral challenges with more than 1 legume (median, 3 legumes) were positive in 37 children (69%). The most frequent induced symptoms on challenge were respiratory (rhinitis and/or asthma) and cutaneous. CONCLUSION: In this population, lentils and chickpeas are the legumes that cause most allergic reactions, clinical allergy to more than 1 legume is common, and boiled legume extracts are most appropriate to discriminate between allergic and tolerant sensitized children.     

Prevalence of allergy, patterns of allergic sensitization and allergy risk factors in rural and urban children

BACKGROUND: We aimed to compare the prevalence of allergic diseases and sensitization in children living in urban and rural areas and to identify potential risk/protection factors associated with allergy. METHODS: School children 12-16 years old, from urban community (n = 201) and rural area (n = 203) were recruited. The data obtained by questionnaire were referred to doctors' diagnosis, skin prick tests (SPTs), and serum specific and total IgE assessment. RESULTS: The prevalence of allergic diseases in urban children was significantly higher as compared with rural children [asthma 16.42%vs 1.97% (P < 0.001) allergic rhinitis 38.81%vs 10.84% (P < 0.001)]. Positive SPTs to at least one allergen was found in 63.7% of urban and 22.7% rural children (P < 0.001). Significantly higher percentage of allergic rural than urban children were monosensitized or sensitized to 2-4 allergens, but almost a fourfold higher percentage of allergic urban children was found to be sensitized to five or more allergens (P < 0.0001). The history of frequent upper respiratory factor (URT) infections, antibiotic therapy, tonsiltectomy/adenoidectomy were positively associated with development of atopy and sensitization. CONCLUSION: Our findings confirm that residence of rural area is associated with a significant lower prevalence of allergic sensitization and symptoms in school children. Several risk and protective factors related to environment and style of life could be identified in both environments.     

Incidence and host determinants of work-related rhinoconjunctivitis in apprentice pastry-makers

BACKGROUND: The authors recently assessed the incidence and determinants of immunologic sensitization to flour in apprentice pastry-makers. The aim of this work was to determine the incidence of work-related rhinoconjunctivitis (RC) symptoms and their determinants. METHODS: For this 188/230 entrants (81.7%) were evaluated before starting exposure to flour, and again 10.8 and 16.8 months after. Questionnaires and skin prick testing to common and work-related allergens were administered at each visit. Bronchial responsiveness to methacholine was assessed at baseline in all subjects and in a subgroup at follow-up. RESULTS: Thirty subjects (16.1%) reported new work-related RC symptoms (13.1 per 100 person-years); in three subjects (1.6%), these were accompanied by incident skin prick test reactivity to flour-derived allergens. Skin prick test reactivity to grass pollens (OR = 3.0, 95% CI, 1.3-6.7) and to pets (OR = 2.5, 95% CI, 1.1-5.9), persistent rhinitis (OR = 3.1, 95% CI, 1.1-8.4), seasonal RC (OR = 2.5, 95% CI, 1.1-5.5), RC on contact with pets (OR = 2.3, 95% CI, 1.03-5.0) and skin prick test reactivity to wheat flour (OR = 10.5, 95% CI, 2.3-46.8), assessed at baseline, were significantly associated with the incidence of work-related RC symptoms. Multivariate logistic regression analysis yielded significant OR of skin prick test reactivity to wheat flour at baseline (OR = 7.1, 95% CI, 1.7-35.1) and persistent rhinitis (OR = 3.9, 95% CI, 1.01-9.6) for the incidence of work-related RC symptoms. Increased bronchial hyperresponsiveness at follow-up was more frequent, although not significantly, in subjects positive to skin prick test to flour on entry and reporting new work-related symptoms (3/5), than in other subjects (4/17). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of work-related RC symptoms among apprentice pastry-makers was high (16.1% 30/186), while a minority (3/30) also developed skin prick test reactivity to flour. Skin prick test reactivity to wheat flour and persistent allergic rhinitis on starting exposure to flour are significant determinants for the development of work-related RC symptoms.     

Allergen-specific sensitization in asthma and allergic diseases in children: the study on farmers'' and non-farmers'' children

BACKGROUND: Farmers' children are less frequently sensitized to common allergens than the non-farmers' children, but less is known about their sensitization to other allergens and its association with clinical diseases. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of farm environment with atopic sensitization, allergic diseases, expression of allergen-induced symptoms, and the importance of specific sensitization against 'common' (timothy, dog, cat, birch, Dermatophagoides pteronyssimus, mugwort) and 'other' (cockroach, horse, Lepidoglyphus destructor, cow) allergens for asthma and allergic diseases in children. METHODS: A cross-sectional study including 344 farmers' and 366 non-farmers' children aged 6-13 years in eastern Finland, using a self-administered written questionnaire and skin prick tests against the above-mentioned allergens. RESULTS: Farmers' children had less asthma and allergic diseases and were less often sensitized against common allergens than the non-farmers' children. However, little difference was observed in sensitization against the other allergens between the farmers' (17.2%) and non-farmers (14.5%) children [adjusted odds ratios (aOR) 1.11 (0.71-1.72)]. Being sensitized against only other allergens, without sensitization against common allergens, was unrelated to asthma or allergic diseases. Among the single allergens, sensitization against pets or pollen, or against horse or cow, had the strongest association with asthma, hayfever, and atopic eczema; no such association was seen in D. pteronyssimus, mugwort, cockroach, or L. destructor. Farmers' children had significantly less often symptoms of allergic rhinitis in contact with dog (aOR 0.32%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.15-0.67), cat (aOR 0.45, 0.22-0.88), or pollen (aOR 0.58%, 95% CI 0.37-0.90) than the non-farmers' children. CONCLUSION: Farm environment reduces the occurrence of asthma, allergic diseases, and atopic sensitization in children, and also the occurrence of allergen-induced rhinitis. Remarkable differences were observed between single allergens in their association with allergic disease, stressing the importance of allergen selection when defining atopy in epidemiological studies.     

A comparative study on basophil histamine release and skin testing in children with allergic rhinitis

Skin tests and histamine release from basophils induced by the same allergens in children with allergic rhinitis were compared. A qualitative correlation between these two tests was found. Basophil histamine release either spontaneous or allergen-induced during the period of developed allergic symptoms was markedly higher as compared with that in a period of clinical remission. It is concluded that basophil histamine release might be a valuable diagnostic method for detection of allergen(s) responsible for symptoms of allergic rhinitis.