Allergic airway diseases in a tropical urban environment are driven by dominant mono-specific sensitization against house dust mites.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Southeast Asian populations are increasingly affected by allergic airway diseases. Etiology and specific causes, however, are still unknown. The aim of this study is therefore to identify allergens and risk factors for the high prevalence of allergic airway disease in the tropical urban environment.

Methods

Symptoms of allergic rhinitis (AR), asthma, and allergic dermatitis were recorded in two independent cohorts of 576 and 7373 ethnic Chinese individuals living in Singapore. Reactivity against common allergens was determined by skin prick tests (SPT); specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) titers against 12 common allergens, as well as total serum IgE (tIgE), were measured in the smaller cohort.

Results

Immunoglobulin E sensitization was almost exclusively dire

SUBMITTER: Andiappan AK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4240470 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature