Prevalence of common sensitizing aeroallergens in patients with atopic dermatitis

Abstract

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD), a skin disease burden worldwide, is a complex, multifactorial, chronic inflammatory disease. Prevalence of AD is increasing in developing countries and identifying the causative allergens is a major challenge. Aeroallergens are shown to aggravate atopic dermatitis.

Purpose: Explore the prevalence of aeroallergens sensitization in patients with AD and its possible relation with AD severity.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of 132 patients diagnosed to have atopic dermatitis. Atopy was detected by serum specific IgE to a panel of the most encountered aeroallergens.

Results: From the 132 patients, elevated specific IgE was detected in 72.7 % from which 59.1 % were mild and 86.4 % are moderate/severe as well as 15.9 % are mono-sensitized and 54.5 % are poly-sensitized with poly-sensitization being more in severe cases compared to mild cases (68.2 % vs 4.5 %). Regarding specific IgE to different aeroallergens, the most prevalent were Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (50 %), followed by Dermatophagoides farinae (34.1 %), Birch pollen (20.5 %), cat epithelium (18.2 %) Regweed (15.9 %), and Cockroach (9.1 %). However, moderate to severe cases were more sensitized to candida (p = 0.012), mix grass pollen (p = 0.002), ragweed (0.00), mite (p = 0.037) and cat epithelium (p = 0.007).

Conclusion: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, Birch pollen, cat epithelium Regweed and Cockroach are the most frequent sensitizing aeroallergens in atopic dermatitis.

Keywords: Aeroallergens; Atopic dermatitis; Eczema; Specific IgE.