Pattern of allergen sensitivity among bronchial asthma patients in Sohag governorate, Egypt

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the pattern of allergen-sensitivity in asthmatic patient in Sohag governorate, Egypt, and to provide data for therapeutic management of those patients by immunotherapy. The study included patients with bronchial asthma diagnosed clinically and by pulmonary function tests. Patients were subjected skin prick test to diagnose their sensitization to different allergens including aero-allergens, contact, and food allergens. Clinical and demographic data of the patients were collected for correlating it with the pattern of the sensitivity. The most frequent aero-allergen reported in asthmatic patients was birch (38.7%), followed by sunflower seeds and mixed grass (29.5% and 26.4% respectively), While the most frequent contact allergen reported was common wasp venom followed by honey bee venom (25.7% and 20.6% respectively). the most frequently reported food allergen was banana followed by milk and Sollanaceae (12.2%, 11.5%, and 11.0% respectively). In conclusion, our study provided useful information on the pattern of allergen sensitization in this part of the country; such information would be helpful in treating allergic patients.