Major inhalant allergens in Mauritius.
BACKGROUND
Bronchial asthma appears to be an important but neglected problem in tropical countries. There is little information about the role of atopy in tropical climates and how atopy is related to asthma there.


OBJECTIVE
The present work was aimed at determining the pattern of total serum IgE-titers among a group of patients suffering from asthma in Mauritius.


METHODS
Twenty-five asthmatic patients and ten controls who met the criteria for the study were registered. A comprehensive clinical evaluation was followed by allergy skin testing (prick test) to common aeroallergens. Serum total IgE levels were measured in all 35 participants.


RESULTS
Of 22 patients studied, 22 had significant levels of IgE when tested to airborne allergens. Positive skin tests against Dermatophagoide pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoide farinae correlated well with the presence of serum total IgE. Sixteen patients also had had moderate to severe exacerbations throughout the year.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that house dust mite is an important allergen producing symptoms throughout the year in our patients.
Subratty
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AH
Health and Medical Science Dept., Faculty of Science, University of Mauritius, Reduit.
Fakim
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D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000032:analysis*; D000485:Allergens / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008436:Mauritius / Q000453:epidemiology; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E