title: GA(2)LEN skin test study I: GA(2)LEN harmonization of skin prick testing: novel sensitization patterns for inhalant allergens in Europe.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Charité Universitätsmedizin-Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Heinzerling
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Charité Universitätsmedizin-Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Burbach
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Charité Universitätsmedizin-Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Edenharter
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bachert
authors.affiliation: Allergy Centre, University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bindslev-Jensen
authors.affiliation: Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bonini
authors.affiliation: University Hospital, Montpellier, France.
authors.forename: J
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authors.lastname: Bousquet
authors.affiliation: University Hospital, Montpellier, France.
authors.forename: L
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authors.lastname: Bousquet-Rouanet
authors.affiliation: University Hospital, Montpellier, France.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Bousquet
authors.affiliation: Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bresciani
authors.affiliation: Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bruno
authors.affiliation: Imperial College for Science, Technology and Medicine, London, UK.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Burney
authors.affiliation: University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Canonica
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergy Biederstein and Division of Environmental Dermatology and Allergy Helmholtz Center, Technical University, Technische Universität, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Darsow
authors.affiliation: University Hospital, Montpellier, France.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Demoly
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Durham
authors.affiliation: Academic Medical Centre, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Fokkens
authors.affiliation: Allergy Department, 2nd Pediatric Clinic, National and Kapodistrian University, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giavi
authors.affiliation: Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: M
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authors.lastname: Gjomarkaj
authors.affiliation: Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gramiccioni
authors.affiliation: Skin and Allergy Hospital, University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Haahtela
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Kowalski
authors.affiliation: Semmelweis Medical University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Magyar
authors.affiliation: Semmelweis Medical University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Muraközi
authors.affiliation: Semmelweis Medical University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Orosz
authors.affiliation: Allergy Department, 2nd Pediatric Clinic, National and Kapodistrian University, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: N G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Papadopoulos
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Charité Universitätsmedizin-Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Röhnelt
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stingl
authors.affiliation: Coimbra University, Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Todo-Bom
authors.affiliation: Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Von Mutius
authors.affiliation: Children's University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wiesner
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wöhrl
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Charité Universitätsmedizin-Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zuberbier
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens