Sensitization to aeroallergens in asthmatic children older than three years of age living North of Lima, Peru

Objectives. - Determine the sensitization status to aeroallergens of asthmatic children older than three years of age in a hospital center North of Lima, Peru. Patients and methods. - A descriptive, cross-sectional study involving 493 asthmatic children older than 3 years of age was carried out to determine the frequency of sensitization to common aeroallergens. Prick-tests using 12 commercial, standardized allergen extracts (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, Blomia tropicalis, Alternaria, Cladosporium, Penicilium, Aspergillus, Trichophyton, dog and cat dander, Blattella germanica, and a three grass-pollen mix) were carried out on 348 of these children. Total serum IgE levels (UI/ml) were determined in 202 of these children and spirometric parameters (FVC, FEV1. and MEF 25-75, both pre- and post-B-2 bronchodilation) were performed in 95 of them. Results. - The mean age of the 493 asthmatic children was 6.2 years; 313 (63%) also had allergic rhinitis. 44/95 (46.3%) had positive spirometric parameters. There were significant differences between pre- and post-B2 values in the following spirometric parameters: for FEV1, 111.1 versus 115.1 (p=0.004); for MEF 25-75, 93.7 versus 102.8 (p=0.002). For FVC, the difference (108.7 versus 111.0) was not significant (p=0.062). The mean total serum IgE value was significantly different between the aeroallergen-sensitized group and the group not sensitized to these aeroallergens (846.0 UI/ml versus 343.3 UI/ml, p=0.001). In 306/348 (88%), there was sensitization to at least one aeroallergen. By group, 80.5% were sensitized to house dust mites, 44.5% to an animal dander, 42.2% to moulds and 4.3% to pollens. Sensitization to common house dust mites increased with the children's age. Conclusion. - Most asthmatic children older than 3 years of age in North of Lima, Peru were sensitized to one or more aeroallergen, mainly to house dust mites. (C) 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.