Cockroach Allergic Rhinitis in the Urban Area in Korea: Sensitivity and Diagnosis

Eun, Young Gyu; Kim, Sung Wan; Lee, In Young; Cho, Joong Saeng

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Recently persistent type and mixed sensitization of allergic rhinitis are on the rise. We have frequently experienced patients sensitized to cockroach in allergic skin test (AST). There was a report that cockroach was prevalent in each house within Seoul metropolitan area. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of patients sensitized to cockroach and to compare AST positivity to cockroach with multiple allergosorbent chemiluminescent assay (MAST-CLA) result. SUBJECTIVES AND METHOD: Allergic skin test with 5 common inhalant allergens was performed in 180 patients who had visited Allergic Clinic of Kyung-Hee University Hospital from Jan. 2003 to Jul. 2003. Among them, MAST-CLA was performed in 54 patients who tested positive to cockroach on allergic skin test. Western blot analysis was performed in 10 cockroach sensitized patients with negative result in MAST. RESULTS: 54 patients (30%) were AST positive to cockroach among 180 patients had allergic rhinitis. Concomitant offending antigen were D. farinae (63%), House dust (33.3%), Candida (13%), Aspergillus (9.3%). There was discrepancy between the result of AST and MAST. Only 13.6% patients who showed positive AST revealed positivity on MAST. Minor bands of cockroach antigen in Western blot were detected in 6 of 10 patients who were sensitized to cockroach in AST but not to MAST. CONCLUSION: We suggest that cockroach should be considered as an important antigen in allergic rhinitis. It should be needed for the diagnosis of cockroach allergic rhinitis that MAST sensitivity is increased.