Distribution characteristics and clinical significance of specific immunoglobulin E of 29 kinds of food and inhalation allergens in atopic dermatitis children

Abstract

Objective To investigate the distribution characteristics in the positive ratio distribution of serum allergen specific immunoglobulin E(sIgE) in atopic dermatitis children with multiple sensitization factors, which could help to assess the atopic condition and offer recommendation for the avoidance of allergens. Methods A total of 90 children with atopic dermatitis were enrolled(male 66, female 24, aged 0.3-16.1 years). All the patients were divided into 3 groups according to the patients' age: 0-3 years old group (48 patients), 4-7 years old group (31 patients), 8-16 years old group (11 patients). The serum sIgE levels of 29 kinds of food and inhalation allergens in each patient were detected by the UniCAP 250 quantified IgE measurement system. Results The positive ratio of each food allergen in all the patients were as follows: 55.6%(50/90 cases) for egg white, 42.2%(38/90 cases) for milk, 32.2%(29/90 cases) for egg yolk, 12.2%(11/90 cases) for shrimp, 11.1%(10/90 cases) for crab, 7.8%(7/90 cases) for chicken, 4.4%(4/90 cases) for fish, 54.4%(49/90 cases) for wheat, 37.8%(34/90 cases) for peanut, 34.4% (31/90 cases) for soybean, 33.3%(30/90 cases) for tomato and 28.9%(26/90 cases) for peach. The positive ratio of each inhalation allergen in all the patients were as follows: 51.1% (46/90 cases) for house dust, 45.6% (41/90 cases) for alternaria alternata, 41.1% (37/90 cases) for dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, 40% (36/90 cases) for dermatophagoides farinae, 33.3% (30/90 cases) for dog dander, 28.9% (26/90 cases) for cockroach, 27.8% (25/90 cases) for cat dander, 21.9% (19/90 cases) for blomia tropicalis, 36.7% (33/90 cases) for ambrosia elatior, 34.4% (31/90 cases) for white ash, 32.2% (29/90 cases) for london plane, 32.2% (29/90 cases) for artemisia vulgaris, 31.1% (28/90 cases) for common silver birch, 27.8% (25/90 cases) for willow, 25.6% (23/90 cases) for mountain juniper, 25.6% (23/90 cases) for humulus scandens and 25.6% (23/90 cases) for chenopodium album. The positive ratios of sIgE for egg white, milk, egg yolk of patients in the 0-3 years old group were higher than those in the 4-7 years old group and 8-16 years old group (χ2=29.27, 15.98, 18.58, all P<0.05). The positive ratios of sIgE for dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, dermatophagoides farinae, blomia tropicalis, cat dander, mountain juniper, humulus scandens of patients in the 8-16 years old group were higher than those in the 0-3 years old group and 4-7 years old group (χ2=12.94, 14.31, 7.77, 7.65, 9.41, 6.93, all P<0.05). The positive ratios of sIgE for food allergens and animal dander in the patients of diagnosed as atopic dermatitis alone were higher than those of diagnosed as atopic dermatitis combined with asthma or allergic rhinitis. The positive ratios of sIgE for common inhalation allergens in the patients diagnosed as atopic dermatitis alone were lower than those diagnosed as atopic dermatitis combined with asthma or allergic rhinitis . Conclusions Allergens such as animal protein, house dust, mites and molds are the main sensitization allergens for atopic dermatitis children with multiple sensitization factors. Atopic dermatitis children in 0-3 years old group often presented sensitive to food allergens, while those in 8-16 years old group are more commonly sensitive to inhalation allergens. Patients diagnosed as atopic dermatitis alone are often presented sensitive to food allergens and animal dander, while those diagnosed with asthma or allergic rhinitis are more commonly sensitive to inhalant allergens. Key words: Atopic dermatitis; Specific immunoglobulin E; Allergen