title: Skin sensitivity reactions to some allergens in different population groups of Ethiopian subjects.
abstract: The prevalence of allergic diseases to a variety of allergens has only been studied in a few countries and it has never been studied in Ethiopia. This study was aimed at assessing the prevalence of skin sensitivity reactions to allergens in Ethiopian subjects. A total of 216 subjects were tested with a skin scratch test using five types of allergens and also for total and differential white blood cell counts. Positive reaction to one or more allergens was detected in 49.5% of the subjects, the most prevalent allergen being mite extract. Some 27% showed a positive reaction to multiple allergens. The mean eosinophil count was higher in the subjects reacting to at least one of the allergens compared to those with no reaction (p=0.038). The results demonstrate a high prevalence of allergic reactions to the few allergens tested. Further studies using several allergens are recommended to substantiate this finding.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Kassahun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Desalegn
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nishikawa
authors.forename: Afework
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kassu
authors.forename: Andargachew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mulu
authors.forename: Gizachew
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yismaw
authors.forename: Sisay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yifru
authors.forename: Fusao
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ota
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D015897:Comorbidity; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D007223:Infant; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008925:Mites / Q000276:immunology; D044382:Population Groups / Q000208:ethnology; D015995:Prevalence; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology*; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens