Allergic sensitization in patients with rhinitis and bronchial asthma in Ningxia region of China

Outdoor Alternaria and Cladosporium spores and acute asthma

BACKGROUND

Outdoor Alternaria and Cladosporium spores are ubiquitous. Few studies have assessed their impact on asthma hospitalizations providing conflicting results, mainly focused on vulnerable paediatric populations. We aimed to study the impact of outdoor Alternaria and Cladosporium concentrations on acute hospitalizations in the Capital Region of Denmark.

METHODS

This is a bi-directional case-crossover study with 26 years of national registry data at individual level on acute asthma hospitalizations and daily average data on Alternaria and Cladosporium, pollen (Artemisia, Poaceae), maximal temperature, and air pollution. Conditional logistic regression models were applied to assess the associations. Concentration quartiles at lag 0 were used for categorizing the exposure.

RESULTS

For lags 0-2, the odds of hospitalization were significantly higher for both Alternaria and Cladosporium at concentration quartile 2-4 compared with quartile 1. When stratified for age and sex, odds of hospitalization at Alternaria quartiles 2-4 were significantly higher in males below 40 years at lag 0-2, and at lag 0 in females (18-30 years), while quartiles 2-4 of Cladosporium concentrations were associated with significantly higher odds in boys (0-17 years) at lag 1-3, males (18-39 years) at lag 0-1, females (18-39 years) at lag 1-2, males (40-64 years) at lag 0-2, females (40-64 years) at lag 0 and 2, in seniors (65+ years) male at lag 1-2 and female at lag 0-1. The effect of Alternaria varied significantly depending on the level of Cladosporium (p < .0001).

CONCLUSION

Ambient Alternaria and Cladosporium spores can induce asthma hospitalizations. Males are more susceptible to both genera. Males and females under age 40 years are more susceptible to Alternaria.

Investigation of Allergic Sensitization Pattern in 4,203 Children in Northern China

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to investigate the allergen sensitization pattern among 4,203 children in the Shanxi region of China and to provide guidance for diagnosis and prevention of allergic diseases.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on the allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) results of 4,203 children aged 0-12 years from January to December in 2019. SIgE antibodies to 19 allergens in the serum sample were detected by enzyme ALLERGO-SORBENT testing.

RESULTS

In total, 49.70% (2,089/4,203) of children with allergic diseases were positive for sIgE, and the top 5 allergens were egg white 18.63% (783/4,203), artemisia 14.47% (608/4,203), milk 13.04% (548/4,203), ragweed 8.66% (364/4,203), and poplar/willow/elm 8.52% (358/4,203). Significant differences in the positive rate of food allergens and aeroallergens in different ages were found (p < 0.05). 50.98% (1,065/2,089) patients were sensitive to 2 or more allergens. The high sensitization rate in the >3-year group was significantly higher than the ≤3-year group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Egg white and artemisia are the most common allergens in children in northern China. This study provides allergic sensitization pattern of children and clinical epidemiological data in the region.

Prevalence and distribution patterns of allergens among children with asthma and asthma-like symptoms in Shanghai, China

Objective

We aimed to identify the prevalence and distribution patterns of allergens among Chinese children with asthma/asthma-like symptoms (ALS).

Methods

A total of 3479 children with asthma/ALS were enrolled. Skin prick test (SPT) was used to test the allergen-specific IgE. We analysed allergens prevalence and distribution, and its relationship with demographic characteristics.

Results

Aeroallergens prevalence was higher than that of food allergens (p < 10^− 4). Boys had higher aeroallergens prevalence than that in girls (p < 10^− 4). Significant difference of aeroallergens prevalence among cases with different parental allergy history was observed (p < 10^− 4). Age was positively associated with aeroallergens prevalence before the age of 11.5 (P < 10^− 4), particularly before the age of 2.42 (P < 10^− 4). Age was negatively associated with aeroallergens prevalence after the age of 11.5 (P = 0.021). Age was negatively associated with food allergens prevalence before the age of 3.42 (P < 10^− 4). Age was associated with the intensity of dermatophagoides farinae (DF)/house dust mite (HDM) allergens (P < 10^− 4). Age was negatively associated with the intensity of shrimp, and crab allergens before the age of 3.3 and 3.3, respectively (P = 0.012, < 10^− 4). Boys had higher intensity of DF and HDM allergens than that in girls (P < 10^− 4, P < 10^− 4). Significant differences of the intensity of DF and HDM allergens among groups with different parental allergy history were noted (P < 10^− 4, P < 10^− 4).

Conclusions

Boys and parental allergy history were associated with higher prevalence and intenstity of aeroallergens. Age was positively and negatively associated with aeroallergens prevalence before and after the age of 11.5, respectively. Age was negatively associated with food allergens prevalence before the age of 3.42.