Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.  2011 Mar;31(1):27-32.

Sensitization Rates to Inhalant Allergens in Patients Visiting a University Hospital in Gangwon Region

Abstract

BACKGROUND
There are some differences in common inhalant allergens among regions in Korea. Gangwon region, including Wonju City, which has a lot of mountains is relatively less urbanized and industrialized. It is necessary to determine which inhalant allergens are common in this region.
OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to observe the prevalence of sensitization to inhalant allergens in patients visiting a university hospital in Gangwon region and to evaluate the difference in sensitization rates to allergens from other regions in Korea. METHOD: Skin prick tests were performed with 33 common inhalant allergens on 1,596 patients with respiratory allergic symptoms from June 2005 through July 2007 at a university hospital. RESULT: The number of positive responders to more than 1 allergen was 609 (38.2%) of the 1,596 patients. The most common offending allergen was Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (19.5%), followed by Dermatophagoides farinae (17.2%), Tyrophagus putrescentiae (10.1%), Trichophyton (9.5%), rabbit fur (7.8%), mugwort (7.4%), cockroach (6.5%) and orchard grass (4.9%).
CONCLUSION
The most common offending allergen was found to be the house dust mite in Gangwon region. The sensitization rate to mugwort pollen is the highest among pollen allergens, followed by orchard grass pollen.

MeSH Terms

Allergens
Artemisia
Cockroaches
Dactylis
Dermatophagoides farinae
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus
Humans
Korea
Pollen
Prevalence
Pyroglyphidae
Skin
Trichophyton
Allergens