[Sensitization to aeroallergens in allergic patients from Medellin, Colombia]

Allergen sensitization is the first step in the onset of allergic diseases. Sensitizing sources may vary among geographic region but identification is needed to develop effective treatment as specific avoidance measures and immunotherapy.

To determine the prevalence of sensitization to several sources of aeroallergens by prick skin tests, in a group of patients with rhinitis, conjunctivitis, asthma or atopic dermatitis in a tropical city.

We reviewed the medical records of patients and their results of skin prick tests with aeroallergens, including Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farina, during the period of January 2008 to December 2011.

Three hundred allergic patients with sensitization to 30 different allergens were included. House dust mites (78%), dog dander (47%) and cockroach (21.5%) were the most frequent positive allergens. We observed a significative sensitization pattern with house dust mites, dog dander, molds and piggeon droppings, associated with systemic allergic sensitization.

As we expect, mites are the main source of sensitization in Medellin. However, other sources common in other regions such as the pollen grains are rare. The identification of the sources could help to predict in young children allergic phenotypes.