A nationwide survey of inhalant allergens sensitization and levels of indoor major allergens in Korea.
OBJECTIVE
The higher prevalence of respiratory allergic disease may be due to increased exposure to inhalation allergens. We conducted a survey of allergic diseases in autumn and winter with detection of major indoor allergens in major cities in Korea.


METHODS
We enrolled 110 subjects from the fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey with stratified, cluster, and systematic sampling procedures. All participants answered a health questionnaire as well as underwent a skin prick test (SPT) and ImmunoCAP for 11 indoor major allergens. We also measured the levels of 5 major allergens (Der f 1, Der p 1, Can f 1, Bla g 1, and Asp f 1) in fine indoor dust from the houses of 60 subjects with a 2-site ELISA.


RESULTS
The prevalence of allergic rhinitis and asthma were 25.5% and 7.3%, respectively. The most common sensitized allergens identified by SPT and ImmunoCAP were Dermatophagoides farinae (40.9%, 36.8%), followed by cockroach (23.6%, 19.5%), mugwort (13.6%, 22.9%), oak (9.1%, 22.9%), Japanese hop (9.1%, 8.6%), and dog dander (8.2%, 6.9%). There was a modest discrepancy between SPT and ImmunoCAP. Der f 1 and Der p 1 were detected in 91.7% and 45.0% of the enrolled houses, respectively. Der f 1 indicated high concentrations in all specific provinces in Korea; however, Der p 1 measured high only in the south. Dog dander allergens were present in 71.7% of houses; however, Bla g 1 was present in only 11.7% of houses and Asp f 1 was not detected in any houses.


CONCLUSIONS
The most important inhalant allergens in Korea are house dust mites followed by cockroach, mugwort, oak, Japanese hop, and dog dander in indoor environment, in which The dominant species of house dust mites were different according to region.
Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; Institute of Allergy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Hye Jung
HJ
Park
Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; Institute of Allergy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Jae-Hyun
JH
Lee
Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; Institute of Allergy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Kyung Hee
KH
Park
Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Hea Won
HW
Ann
Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Moo-Nyun
MN
Jin
Institute of Allergy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Soo-Young
SY
Choi
Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; Institute of Allergy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Yong-Won
YW
Lee
Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; Institute of Allergy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Chein-Soo
CS
Hong
Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; Institute of Allergy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Jung-Won
JW
Park
Allergen; Korea; dust; indoor; skin test