Sensitization to cockroach allergens in the urban atopic populations living in Campania district (southern Italy). A multicenter study.
BACKGROUND
Although cockroach (CR) is an important cause of allergic sensitization worldwide, only a few data are available in Italy and in a previous study we have observed, in Naples area, a low prevalence of CR sensitization.


OBJECTIVE
We sought to perform a prospective study for assessing the prevalence of allergic sensitization to CR in a sample of atopic population living in Campania district area (Southern Italy).


METHODS
Ten Allergy Units or Centres of Campania district participated in this cross-sectional study. Each centre was required to collect the results of at least 100 allergy consultations in consecutive outpatients referred for actual or suspected respiratory allergy. We registered demographic data, type and duration of respiratory symptoms, pets ownership, possible exposure to CR allergens, results of the skin prick tests (SPTs).


RESULTS
A total of 1477 patients were examined, 985 (66.68%) had a SPTs positivity to at least one allergen. In this context, ninety were sensitized to CR, thus the overall sensitization prevalence in subjects with respiratory allergy was 6.09% ranging between 0-11% and only five patients were mono-sensitized. Thirteen patients reported rhinitis (R) + bronchial asthma (A), twenty-one R + A + conjunctivitis (C), thirty-seven R + C, five only A and eleven individuals only R. Sixty-seven patients exhibited persistent and twenty-three intermittent symptoms. Dust mite constituted the first cause of associated sensitization to CR.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of allergic sensitization to CR is not negligible in population living in Campania district and shows a higher trend in comparison to that found recently and some years ago in Naples area. Finally, we suggest atopic individuals and especially those highly sensitized to mite allergens or those living in low-income areas to be tested by SPTs / evaluation of serum specific IgE to CR allergens to exclude the occurrence of CR allergic sensitization.
Department of Chest Diseases, Division of Pneumology and Allergology, High Speciality "A. Cardarelli" Hospital, Naples, Italy. gennaro.liccardi@tin.it.
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G
Liccardi
Respiratory Medicine Unit, ASL (District 66), Salerno, Italy.
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G
Baldi
Allergy Unit, Presidio Sanitario Polispecialistico "Loreto Crispi", Naples, Italy.
A
A
Ciccarelli
Allergy Center, Division of Internal Medicine, Ospedali Riuniti Penisola Sorrentina, Sorrento, Naples, Italy.
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M
Cutajar
Department of Respiratory Diseases, "Federico II" University - AO "Dei Colli", Naples, Italy.
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M
D'Amato
Allergy Unit, High Speciality "San Giuseppe Moscati" Hospital, Avellino, Italy.
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D
Gargano
Respiratory physiopathology and allergy, High Speciality Center "S. Maria Incoronata dell'Olmo" Hospital, Cava dei Tirreni, Salerno, Italy.
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D
Giannattasio
Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, High Speciality "Sant'Anna e San Sebastiano" Hospital, Caserta, Italy.
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G
Leone
Allergy and Clinical Immunology, "G. Fucito" Hospital and University Hospital, Salerno, Italy.
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M
Lo Schiavo
Allergy Unit, ASL (Sanitary District n° 12), Caserta, Italy.
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F
Madonna
Allergy and Clinical Immunology, "G. Fucito" Hospital and University Hospital, Salerno, Italy.
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C
Montera
Department of Chest Diseases, Division of Pneumology and Allergology, High Speciality "A. Cardarelli" Hospital, Naples, Italy.
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A
Piccolo
Allergy and Clinical Immunology, "G. Fucito" Hospital and University Hospital, Salerno, Italy.
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A
Pio
Department of Chest Diseases, Division of Pneumology and Allergology, High Speciality "A. Cardarelli" Hospital, Naples, Italy.
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M
Russo
Department of Respiratory Diseases, "Federico II" University - AO "Dei Colli", Naples, Italy.
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A
Stanziola
Department of Chest Diseases, Division of Pneumology and Allergology, High Speciality "A. Cardarelli" Hospital, Naples, Italy.
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G
D'Amato
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003058:Cockroaches / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014504:Urban Health
D000485:Allergens
Allergic rhinitis; Campania district; allergic sensitization; bronchial asthma; cockroach; cockroach allergy; hypersensitivity