Common aeroallergens among children with allergies in the United Arab Emirates

Hanan Abdulgader Sharif, Elrasheed Salih, Hadeel Awad, Rasha Albarazi

Indian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 2018 32(1):4-9

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the most common allergens that cause sensitization in skin prick tests (SPTs). Subjects and Methods: The data for this retrospective cross-sectional study were collected from results in 180 patients referred to our clinic with allergic rhinitis (AR), asthma, or atopic dermatitis (AD). All participants underwent SPT during 2013–2015 in our clinic at University Hospital Sharjah. SPT was performed with 15 aeroallergens selected based on the most common identifiable allergens in the region. A mean wheal diameter of at least 3 mm greater than the negative control was considered positive. Statistical analysis was done through SPSS 21. Results: The patients' ages ranged from 12 months to 16 years. About 69.4% had AR, 52.2% had asthma, and 21.1% had AD. Among positive patients, 89.4% were polysensitized and 10.6% were single sensitized. House dust mites (HDMs) yielded the highest prevalence of sensitization, followed by cat dander and feather mix (both 17.2%). The least common of all indoor aeroallergens was cockroach (8.9%). Molds yielded the following sensitization rates: Alternaria alternata 26.1%, Cladosporium mix 20.00%, and Aspergillus mixture 17.8%. Among outdoor allergens, sensitization rates were 21.1% for Phleum pratense, 17.2% for Russian thistle, 14.4% for Chenopodium album, and 10.0% for date palm. The least common outdoor allergen was Bermuda grass with a percentage sensitization of 5.6%. Conclusions: The most common aeroallergens identified by SPT in our allergy clinic were HDMs in all allergic diseases, which is consistent with results from similar studies in our region. The most common allergic disease in our population was AR.

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