A multicenter study of sensitization profiles in an allergic pediatric population in an area with high allergen...

Area of Science:

• Allergy and Immunology
• Pediatric Allergy
• Immunopathology

Background:

• High allergen exposure necessitates identifying primary causes of allergic diseases in children.
• Pediatric allergic patients (≤14 years) were studied to determine initial sensitization profiles.
• This study presents the initial phase of a longitudinal investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the initial sensitization profiles of pediatric patients with allergic diseases.
• To understand the prevalence of sensitization to various allergens, including seasonal, perennial, and panallergens.
• To investigate the role of panallergens like profilin in polysensitization.

Main Methods:

• 187 children (2-14 years) with allergic symptoms (rhinoconjunctivitis, asthma) were enrolled across 5 allergy units.
• Diagnosis involved clinical history, allergen exposure assessment, and in vivo/in vitro tests.
• Specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) testing was performed for major allergens.

Main Results:

• Patients exhibited sensitization to seasonal (grass, olive, cypress, Cynodon dactylon), perennial (Alternaria alternata), and panallergens (profilin, lipid transfer protein).
• Nearly 60% of patients were polysensitized.
• Sensitization to specific allergens (Cup s1, Phl p1, Sal k1) increased with age, and profilin sensitization correlated with a higher number of overall sensitizations.

Conclusions:

• A significant proportion of allergic children in high-allergen environments are polysensitized, with frequent panallergen sensitization.
• Profilin acts as a diagnostic confounding factor due to its association with multiple sensitizations.
• Component-resolved diagnosis is essential for accurate allergy assessment in this population.