GA(2)LEN skin test study I: GA(2)LEN harmonization of skin prick testing: novel sensitization patterns for inhalant allergens in Europe.
BACKGROUND
Skin prick testing is the standard for diagnosing IgE-mediated allergies. However, different allergen extracts and different testing procedures have been applied by European allergy centres. Thus, it has been difficult to compare results from different centres or studies across Europe. It was, therefore, crucial to standardize and harmonize procedures in allergy diagnosis and treatment within Europe.


OBJECTIVE
The Global Asthma and Allergy European Network (GA(2)LEN), with partners and collaborating centres across Europe, was in a unique position to take on this task. The current study is the first approach to implement a standardized procedure for skin prick testing in allergies against inhalant allergens with a standardized pan-European allergen panel.


METHODS
The study population consisted of patients who were referred to one of the 17 participating centres in 14 European countries (n = 3034, median age = 33 years). Skin prick testing and evaluation was performed with the same 18 allergens in a standardized procedure across all centres.


RESULTS
The study clearly shows that many allergens previously regarded as untypical for some regions in Europe have been underestimated. This could partly be related to changes in mobility of patients, vegetation or climate in Europe.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this large pan-European study demonstrate for the first time sensitization patterns for different inhalant allergens in patients across Europe. The standardized skin prick test with the standardized allergen battery should be recommended for clinical use and research. Further EU-wide monitoring of sensitization patterns is urgently needed.
Heinzerling
L M
LM
Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Charité Universitätsmedizin-Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Burbach
G J
GJ
Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Charité Universitätsmedizin-Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Edenharter
G
G
Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Charité Universitätsmedizin-Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Bachert
C
C
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
Bindslev-Jensen
C
C
Allergy Centre, University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.
Bonini
S
S
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Rome, Italy.
Bousquet
J
J
University Hospital, Montpellier, France.
Bousquet-Rouanet
L
L
University Hospital, Montpellier, France.
Bousquet
P J
PJ
University Hospital, Montpellier, France.
Bresciani
M
M
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Rome, Italy.
Bruno
A
A
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Palermo, Italy.
Burney
P
P
Imperial College for Science, Technology and Medicine, London, UK.
Canonica
G W
GW
University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
Darsow
U
U
Department of Dermatology and Allergy Biederstein and Division of Environmental Dermatology and Allergy Helmholtz Center, Technical University, Technische Universität, Munich, Germany.
Demoly
P
P
University Hospital, Montpellier, France.
Durham
S
S
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK.
Fokkens
W J
WJ
Academic Medical Centre, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Giavi
S
S
Allergy Department, 2nd Pediatric Clinic, National and Kapodistrian University, Athens, Greece.
Gjomarkaj
M
M
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Palermo, Italy.
Gramiccioni
C
C
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Rome, Italy.
Haahtela
T
T
Skin and Allergy Hospital, University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
Kowalski
M L
ML
Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
Magyar
P
P
Semmelweis Medical University, Budapest, Hungary.
Muraközi
G
G
Semmelweis Medical University, Budapest, Hungary.
Orosz
M
M
Semmelweis Medical University, Budapest, Hungary.
Papadopoulos
N G
NG
Allergy Department, 2nd Pediatric Clinic, National and Kapodistrian University, Athens, Greece.
Röhnelt
C
C
Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Charité Universitätsmedizin-Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Stingl
G
G
Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Todo-Bom
A
A
Coimbra University, Coimbra, Portugal.
Von Mutius
E
E
Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany.
Wiesner
A
A
Children's University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.
Wöhrl
S
S
Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Zuberbier
T
T
Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Charité Universitätsmedizin-Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D002415:Cats; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D004285:Dogs; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D055815:Young Adult
D000485:Allergens