Skin sensitivity tests in Nigerians with bronchial asthma

Skin sensitivity tests using the prick method were performed on 174 patients with bronchial asthma and 160 controls, using 20 common allergens. The results revealed a high incidence of positive skin test reactions to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, grass and flower pollens, feathers, and some ingesta such as cow's milk and fish. The difference in the reactions between the asthmatic patients and the controls was statistically significant. The results suggest that house-dust mite allergy is the most significant factor in the aetiology of bronchial asthma in Nigerians.