Allergen profile of rhinitis and asthma among Iraqi patients

Abstract

ObjectiveAllergic rhinitis (AR) and bronchial asthma (AS) are two related clinical types of allergic respiratory diseases, and there is a necessity to define both allergies in terms of the associated allergens. Accordingly, a cross-sectional observational study was conducted to examine the allergen profile in AR and AS of Iraqi patients, in whom the data are not well-elaborated. MethodsDuring January 2014–April 2017, 653 AR and 521 AS patients were ascertained and their sera were assessed for total and specific IgE. ResultsThe 16–45 years was the most encountered age group in AR and AS patients (79.1 and 75.1%, respectively). For total IgE, AS patients at all age groups had a significantly higher level than in AR cases of both genders. However, total IgE level showed no significant variation between age groups with the exception of total AS patients in the age group >45 years who had the lowest IgE level (338 ± 269 IU/ml). Screening the sera for eight allergen types (animal dander, grasses, house dust, insects, mites, molds, trees and weeds) depicted that molds were the most frequent allergen in AR and AS patients (8.7 and 19.6%, respectively), but mixed sources of allergens were much more frequently encountered. ConclusionThe age range 16–45 years is an important target for AR and AS. Molds (Alternaria alternate spores) as well as mixed allergens were the mostly encountered types in Iraqi AR and AS patients.