[Atopic diseases in Brazilian children--etiologic multicentric study]

In order to determine the etiologic agents involved in atopic diseases in Brazilian children, we have performed this multicentric study in 8 areas in Brazil. We have done prick tests with inhalants and food antigens and analyzed skin tests results, considering positive the wheal mean diameter 3 mm. 22,2% of skin tests were negative and the majority were positive to inhalants: D.pteronyssinus(Dpt) (66.6%) and D. farinae(Df) (66.0%), house dust extract (29.0%), dogs epithelium (19.2%), cat's epithelium (8.8%), feather (5.5%), molds (4.2%), Penicillium sp (2.2%) and Lollium perene (0.6%). We have had 9,1% of food positive tests: cow milk (5.2%), peanut (3.5%), corn (3.2%), cocoa and soya (2.2%), eggs and wheat (1.9%). We have concluded that the domestic mites are the most important agents involved in the etiology of atopic diseases in Brazilian children, and the extracts involved, in line with the sensitization of each geographical area.