title: Increased allergic sensitization to mugwort in chronic urticaria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mugwort pollen is known to cross-react with a variety of spices and vegetables that are typically part of elimination diets used in the treatment of chronic urticaria (CU).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to investigate the association between CU and allergic sensitization to mugwort pollen.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted 2 case-control studies comparing aeroallergen skin prick test results between patients with and without CU and with or without allergic rhinitis (total n = 202).
  
  
  RESULTS
  CU patients with coexisting allergic rhinitis were more than twice as likely to be sensitized to mugwort as subjects not suffering from CU (67 vs. 30%; p = 0.004). Ragweed, cat, rat and mite sensitization were also significantly associated with CU. Overall, patients with CU had more positive aeroallergen skin tests than patients without CU (p < 0.005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mugwort sensitization was associated with CU, possibly contributing to beneficial effect of elimination diets.
authors.affiliation: Division of Allergy and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA. gabriele.de-vos@einstein.yu.edu
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: de Vos
authors.forename: Evrydiki
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kravvariti
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tavdy
authors.forename: Ramin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nazari
authors.forename: Golda
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hudes
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rosenstreich
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019306:Artemisia / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011058:Pollen / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012882:Skin Tests; D014581:Urticaria / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens