Prevalence of allergen sensitization among patients with allergic diseases in Guangzhou, Southern China: a four-year observational study

Bao-qing Sun; Pei-yan Zheng; Xiao-wen Zhang; Hui-min Huang; De-hui Chen; Guang-qiao Zeng

doi:10.4081/mrm.2014.359

Prevalence of allergen sensitization among patients with allergic diseases in Guangzhou, Southern China: a four-year observational study

Authors

Bao-qing Sun State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratoy Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratoy Diseases First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou
Pei-yan Zheng State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratoy Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratoy Diseases First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou
Xiao-wen Zhang Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou
Hui-min Huang State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratoy Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratoy Diseases First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou
De-hui Chen Department of Pediatrics, First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou
Guang-qiao Zeng State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratoy Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratoy Diseases First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, GuangzhouChina

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4081/mrm.2014.359

Keywords:

Specific immunoglobulin E, Allergy,, Distribution,

Abstract

Background: The distribution of allergens may vary with different geographic areas, suggesting the importance of local epidemiological data to support evidence-based prevention and management of allergic diseases. We investigated the distribution of common allergens in allergic patients in Guangzhou, southern China.

Methods: 7,047 patients with allergic symptoms were examined for serum sIgE to 15 common allergens in thisregion, based on the protocol of reversed enzyme allergosorbent test.

Results: 4,869 (69.09%) of the subjects tested positive for sIgE to at least one of the 15 common allergens. There was no statistical difference in the overall rate of positive sIgE detection between males (3128/4523, 69.16%) and females (1741/2524, 68.98%). Der pteronyssinus and Der farinae were the most common aeroallergens, while eggs and cow’s milk the most common food allergens, responsible for higher positive rates of sIgE responses. A good correlation in positive sIgE response was found between Der pteronyssinus and Der farinae. By age-group analysis, we noted several peaks of sensitization to certain allergens: Der pteronyssinus, Der farinae, and Blomiatropicalis at age between 9 and 12; Blattellagermanica and mosquito at age between 15 and 18, cow’s milk before age 3; eggs and flour at age between 3 and 6; crabs and shrimps at age between 12 and 15. Along with older age, there was an ascending tendency in the overall positive rate of sIgE response to house dust mites among subjects who tested positive for sIgE to eggs or cow’s milk.

Conclusions: Der pteronyssinus, Der farinae, cow’s milk, and eggs are major allergens in Guangzhou. Sensitization to eggs and cow’s milk is more common at younger age, and then gives place to the increasing prevalence of sensitization to Der pteronyssinus and Der farinae at older age. Such a sequence of events may be a result of allergy march. Knowledge on the prevalence of allergen sensitization in different age groups would help early diagnosis and intervention of allergic diseases in this large geographical region.