EC Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine

Background: Identification of aeroallergens causing nasobronchial allergy, is important in management of these patients. This study was conducted by skin prick test (SPT) in patients of naso-bronchial allergy, in Northern Gangetic plains of India, near confluence of River Ganga and Yamuna.

Materials and Methods: Skin prick tests were performed on 80 respiratory allergy patients (allergic rhinitis, asthma or both), to identify common aeroallergens. The testing kit contained 66 allergen extracts including pollens, fungi, insects, danders, dusts and miscellaneous type triggers.

Results: Major sensitizers among pollens were, Cynodon dactylon, Sorghum vulgare, Pennisetum typhoides, Brassica campestris, Putranjiva roxburghii, Albizia lebbeck. Among fungal sensitizers, there were Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. The insect allergen extracts showing markedly positive skin reactions were Cockroach (female) and Cockroach (male) in most of cases. House dust and Paper dust among dusts, Kapok cotton among group of fabric and feathers and Dust Mite and Parthenium leaves among miscellaneous group were the dominant types, eliciting markedly positive skin reactions.

Conclusion: We gathered knowledge about common allergens, present in our area of study, which could be used for treating patients by immunotherapy or avoidance strategy.

Keywords: Aeroallergens; Gangetic Plains; Nasobronchial Allergy; Skin Prick Test

1. Pawankar R., et al. “White Book on Allergy 2011-2012. Executive Summary”. Wisconsin: World Allergy Organisation (2011).
2. Singh AB. All India Coordinated Project on Aeroallergens and Human Health Report, Ministry of Environment and Forest (2000).
3. Passalacqua G., et al. “United airways disease: Therapeutic aspects”. Thorax2 (2000): S26-S27.
4. Kang B., et al. “Analysis of indoor environment and atopic allergy in urban populations with bronchial asthma”. Annals of Allergy 62 (1989): 30-34.
5. Shivpuri DN. “Clinically important pollens, fungal and insect allergens for nasobronchial allergy patients in India”. Aspects Allergy Applied Immunology 13 (1980): 19-23.
6. Lacey J and Crook B. “Fungal and actinomycete spores as pollutants of the workplace and occupational allergens”. The Annals of Occupational Hygiene 32 (1988): 515-533.
7. Sahney M. “Studies in the aeropalynoflora of Allahabad”. In: Recent Trends in Botanical Researches. D.D. Nautiyal Commemoration Volume. Allahabad: University of Allahabad Press (2000): 325-340.
8. Roy DC., et al. “Air borne allergens around Varanasi”. Indian Journal of Allergy Asthma and Immunology 5 (1991): 27.
9. Bousquet J., et al. “ARIA Workshop Group. World Health Organization. Allergic rhinitis and its impact on asthma”. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology5 (2001): S147-S334.
10. Workshop Report, Global Strategy for Asthma Managementand Prevention (GINA). Initiative World Health Organization, WHO (2005).
11. Agarwal MK., et al. “Cross reacting and Unique allergenic components in insect extracts used for the diagnosis and immunotherapy of patients suffering with respiratory allergy”. In: Sarma PU, Singh BP, Rao DN., et al. editions. Trends in Clin Biochem and Lab. Med., Association of Clinical Biochemists, Delhi, India (2003): 314-324.
12. Yawn BP., et al. “Allergic rhinitis in Rochester, Minnesota residents with asthma: frequency and impact on health care charges”. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 103 (1999): 54-59.
13. Wright Al., et al. “Epidemiology of physician diagnosed rhinitis in childhood”. Paediatrics 94 (1994): 895-901.
14. Renzoni E., et al. “Differences in parental- and self-report of asthma, rhinitis and eczema among Italian adolescents”. European Respiratory Journal 14 (1999): 597-604.
15. Huovinen E., et al. “Incidence and prevalence of asthma among adult Finnish men and women of the Finnish Twin Cohort from 1975 to 1990, and their relation to hay fever and chronic bronchitis”. Chest 115 (1999): 928-936.
16. Sibbald B and Rink E. “Epidemiology of seasonal and perennial rhinitis: clinical presentation and medical history”. Thorax 46 (1991): 895-901.
17. Mishra VD., et al. “Identification of common allergens for united airway disease by skin prick test”. Indian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 30 (2016): 76-79.
18. Agrawal RL., et al. “Identification of Common Allergens by Skin Prick Test associated with United Airway Disease in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India”. Indian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology1 (2008): 7-13.
19. Prasad R., et al. “A study of skin sensitivity to various allergens by skin prick test in patients of nasobronchial allergy”. Lung India 26 (2009): 70-73.
20. Singh BP., et al. “Airborne fungi of Lucknow city: A study of two sites”. The Indian Journal of Chest Diseases 22 (1980): 199-203.
21. Agashe SN. “Public awareness of allergens”. Indian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 17 (2003): 33.
22. Gaur SN., et al. “Etiologic significance of insects in nasobronchial allergy”. Aspects Allergy Applied Immunology 18 (1985): 19-27.
23. Acharya PJ. “Skin test response to some inhalant allergens in patients of nasobronchial allergy from Andhra Pradesh”. Aspects Allergy Applied Immunology 8 (1980): 34-36.