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Inhalant allergies in Zimbabwe: a common problem.

Elopy Nimele Sibanda1

  • 1Department of Immunology, University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe. esibanda@africaonline.co.zw

International Archives of Allergy and Immunology
|February 11, 2003
PubMed
Summary

Allergy and inhalant allergy are common in Central Africa, yet under-recognized. This study investigated allergic conditions in Zimbabwean patients, revealing significant prevalence and diverse clinical presentations.

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Area of Science:

  • Clinical Immunology
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Allergic diseases like rhinitis, conjunctivitis, asthma, and dermatitis are prevalent in industrialized nations, affecting up to 25% of the population.
  • Data on allergy prevalence in Africa is limited, highlighting a gap in understanding the global burden of allergic conditions.
  • Type I hypersensitivity reactions manifest commonly as allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, asthma, and atopic dermatitis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and clinical presentation of allergic diseases in Harare, Zimbabwe.
  • To establish an allergologic basis for diagnosed clinical conditions in a Central African population.
  • To highlight the significance of allergy, particularly inhalant allergy, as a clinical problem in the region.

Main Methods:

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  • Review of case files for the first 1,046 patients (out of ~14,000) referred to a specialist allergy clinic over 5 years (Sept 1997-Sept 2002).
  • Diagnostic methods included clinical examination, family history, in vivo (skin prick test), and in vitro (radio-allergosorbent test; RAST) tests for allergen-specific IgE antibodies.
  • Asthma diagnosis was supported by identifying salbutamol-reversible airways obstruction.

Main Results:

  • Approximately 10% of investigated patients were diagnosed with food allergies.
  • Other diagnosed allergies included allergic pharyngitis, insect-sting reactions (bees/wasps), and latex allergy.
  • Inhalant allergies were found to be very common, though perhaps not widely acknowledged in this Central African region.

Conclusions:

  • Allergic diseases, especially inhalant allergies, represent a significant and common clinical issue in Central Africa.
  • The study underscores the need for increased awareness and diagnostic capabilities for allergic conditions in the region.
  • Further research is warranted to fully understand the scope and impact of allergies in African populations.