The pattern of allergic sensitization by the skin prick test and immunoblotting method among patients with atopic dermatitis in 2018

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common allergic disorder. Detection of responsible pathogenic allergens in AD patients by reliable methods has a fundamental role in the prevention, management, and treatment of AD. This study was conducted to determine the most common allergens by the skin prick test (SPT) and immunoblotting among AD patients referring to an allergy clinic in Birjand City, Iran.

The presence of AD was confirmed by an expert allergist. Serum levels of total and specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) against 30 food and inhalant allergens were evaluated by a commercial immunoblotting kit (AlleisaScreen).

The skin prick test was performed by a battery of 17 allergens. In total, 34 AD patients (mean age, 28.76 ± 17.36 years; range, 1-60 years; F/M ratio: 0.88) were enrolled in this study. The sensitization rates to at least 1 fungus, pollen, food, or indoor allergen by the immunoblotting method were 32.35%, 61.76%, 52.94%, and 47.05%, respectively. The most prevalent allergens were ragweed (52.94), Olive tree (41.16), Eucalyptus (35.29), date palm (35.29), and grass mix (32.28).

The study found that 85.29% of the studied population were sensitized to at least 1 allergen. Pollens and date palms were the most common allergens among AD patients, but the pattern of sensitization in SPT and immunoblotting was not exactly similar. Detection of allergens to which patients are sensitized and avoidance can help in the management of the disease and its symptoms.