Skin prick test reactivity to common aeroallergens among allergic rhinitis patients in Iran

Abstract

BackgroundAllergic rhinitis is the most common allergic disease with negative impacts on patients’ quality of life. The prevalence and pattern of sensitisation vary between different countries and populations. Identifi cation of the most prevalent aeroallergens in each area has a very important role in diagnosis and treatment of allergic rhinitis.Iran is a fairly large country with different geo-climatic conditions and there are no data about the most prevalent aeroallergen in Mashhad City, which is the second largest city in Iran, with a semiarid climate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of positive skin test to various common aeroallergens among allergic rhinitis patients in the city of Mashhad. Materials and MethodsSkin prick tests were performed with 27 common regional aeroallergens including grass, weed, tree, mite and mould in 311 patients with allergic rhinitis. ResultsThe overall rate of sensitisation to any allergen was 81 %. 76 % of patients were poly-sensitised and weed and grass were the most prevalent allergens (77 % and 62 % respectively). Salsola Kali and mould were the most and the least prevalent individual allergens (72.5 % and 6.5 % respectively). Mean total IgE in patients with positive skin prick test was signifi cantly higher than in patients without any positive skin prick test (308 vs 128IU/mL, P=0.016). 97 % of atopic patients were sensitised to Salsola kali and or Fraxinus americana. ConclusionsOur work showed the importance of weeds, especially the Amaranthaceae and Chenopodiaceae families. Diagnosis of pollen allergy can be simplifi ed by using a combination of a few common aeroallergens.