title: Sensitization to food and inhalant allergens in healthy children in Van, East Turkey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine the most frequent food and inhalant allergens leading to allergic sensitization in children in Van Province of Turkey.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 1052 serum samples with no diagnosis of allergy. The sera were tested with the Euroline Pediatric IgE test kit (EUROIMMUN, Germany). By using the EUROLineScan digital evaluation system, the intensity of bands was calculated with enzyme allergosorbent test classification.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of the 1052 tested sera, 143 were found to be cross-reactive carbohydrate determinant-positive and were discarded from the study. Of the remaining 909 sera, 513 (56%) were from males and 296 (44%) were from females. Among the food allergens, specific IgE was most frequently found against codfish, potato, cow's milk, egg yolk, egg white, and rice, and among the inhalant allergens against cats, dogs, grass mix, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, and Aspergillus fumigatus, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The finding of codfish being the most frequent allergen was related to the high consumption of trout in the region and endemicity of pearl mullet in Lake Van. The results obtained could contribute to determining the etiology of allergic diseases. Additionally, regular analysis of changes in allergen sensitization is important for prevention of allergic disease.
authors: Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Yüzüncü Yıl University, Van, Turkey.
authors: Mehmet
authors: M
authors: Parlak
authors: Department of Medical Microbiology, Mengücek Gazi Training and Research Hospital, Erzincan, Turkey.
authors: Aytekin
authors: A
authors: Çikman
authors: Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Yüzüncü Yıl University, Van, Turkey.
authors: Yasemin
authors: Y
authors: Bayram
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Yüzüncü Yıl University, Van, Turkey.
authors: Nesrin
authors: N
authors: Ceylan
authors: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey.
authors: Ulaş
authors: U
authors: Çalişir
authors: Microbiology Laboratory, Lokman Hekim Hospital, Van, Turkey.
authors: Mustafa
authors: M
authors: Berktaş
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D008297:Male; D014421:Turkey
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E
keywords: children; sensitization; specific IgE;  Allergen