Prevalence and severity of sensitization reaction to food and inhalant allergens among allergic patients from Jeddah city: Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: The identification of local common allergens could facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of common inhalant and food allergens among patients with allergic symptoms in Jeddah city. Methods: This is a cross sectional study which recruited 209 consecutive patients who showed allergic clinical presentation and referred to Alborg Laboratory in Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia. Thirty inhalant and 50 food allergens were assessed using in vitro testing for specific IgE. Blood was drawn to be tested with RIDA Allergy Screen, which provides results within 6 degrees of allergy severity from class I with low reactivity to class VI with very high reactivity Results: Out of the total 209 patients, 136 (65.1%) reacted to either one or more allergens. Among Aeroallergens, mites indoor allergens were the most common which followed by American cockroaches, cat dander, pollens and then molds. The most common indoor allergen was Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus followed by Dermatophagoides farina . The most common allergen of pollens was Cynodon dactylon and the most prevalent mold allergen was Alternaria tenuis . The common food allergen was peanut followed by cocoa, egg white, cow milk, chocolate, wheat flour, Pistachio nut, goat milk and then cod fish. Conclusions: Reactivity to aeroallergens such as house dust mites, grasses, American cockroaches, and cat dander were found to be high. The common food allergens were found to be peanut followed by cocoa, egg white, cow milk, and chocolate among patients testing positive for sIgE.