Epidemiology of Mosquito Bite Allergy in the Centre of Allergy and Clinical Immunology of Monterrey, Mexico

Abstract

RATIONALE: To know the prevalence and type of allergic reactions to mosquito bite in our population, we performed a descriptive cross sectional study.METHODS: 482 patients ranged in age from 2 to 58 years referred to our centre were evaluated. A questionnaire on mosquito bite reactions history was applied to the adult patients and the parents' children. Additionally, skin prick test (SPT) were performed in all of these subjects with common aeroallergens of the northeastern of Mexico and whole body extract of Aedes aeigypti (a common mosquito species in Mexico).RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 18.5 ± 14.8 years. 257 (53.3%) were female. 307 (63.7%) were atopic with positive SPT to at least one aeroallergen. 395 (82%) had a positive history of local reactions to mosquito bites, but only 12 (2.5%) presented large local reactions (8 were younger than 10 years). The most common local reactions included erythema, itching, papules and small wheals. Only one patient (0.2%) had history of systemic reaction characterized by urticaria. SPT to mosquito was positive in 85 subjects (17.6%) and 78 of them had history of local reactions (p = 0.24), but only 3 of them were large. There were not differences in the sensitization to mosquito between atopic and no atopic subject (p> .05).CONCLUSIONS: Local reactions to mosquito bites are common and sensitization to this insect is frequent in our population. In general, the prevalence of large local reactions is relatively low, although it is greater in children. Allergic systemic reactions seem to be rare. RATIONALE: To know the prevalence and type of allergic reactions to mosquito bite in our population, we performed a descriptive cross sectional study. METHODS: 482 patients ranged in age from 2 to 58 years referred to our centre were evaluated. A questionnaire on mosquito bite reactions history was applied to the adult patients and the parents' children. Additionally, skin prick test (SPT) were performed in all of these subjects with common aeroallergens of the northeastern of Mexico and whole body extract of Aedes aeigypti (a common mosquito species in Mexico). RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 18.5 ± 14.8 years. 257 (53.3%) were female. 307 (63.7%) were atopic with positive SPT to at least one aeroallergen. 395 (82%) had a positive history of local reactions to mosquito bites, but only 12 (2.5%) presented large local reactions (8 were younger than 10 years). The most common local reactions included erythema, itching, papules and small wheals. Only one patient (0.2%) had history of systemic reaction characterized by urticaria. SPT to mosquito was positive in 85 subjects (17.6%) and 78 of them had history of local reactions (p = 0.24), but only 3 of them were large. There were not differences in the sensitization to mosquito between atopic and no atopic subject (p> .05). CONCLUSIONS: Local reactions to mosquito bites are common and sensitization to this insect is frequent in our population. In general, the prevalence of large local reactions is relatively low, although it is greater in children. Allergic systemic reactions seem to be rare.