J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.  2003 Sep;23(3):483-493.

Sensitization rates for inhalant allergens in Korea; a multi-center study

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Korea. drmin@snu.ac.kr
  • 2Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Korea.
  • 3Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
  • 4Department of Internal Medicine, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
  • 5Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
  • 6Department of Internal Medicine, Jeju Hanmaum Hospital, Jeju, Korea.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
There are many differences in common inhalant allergens between countries and regions. We need to determine the major inhalant allergens in this country with geographical characteristics. To observe the major inhalant allergens and establish essential ones for the skin prick test in Korea, a nation-wide multicenter study was performed. METHOD: The skin prick tests were performed with the same kits of 43 allergens on 2,554 allergy patients who visited their regional hospitals for one year. RESULT: There are significant differences in the sensitization rate to common inhalant allergens among the centers. Twenty three allergens showed > or=5% sensitization rate: D. pteronyssinus, D. farinae, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Tetranychus urticae, Panonychus citri, Alternaria alternata, Cladosporium tenuis, cat fur, dog hair, American and German cockroach, tree pollen mixture I, alder, hazel, tree pollen mixture II, birch, beech, oak, plane tree, ragweed, mugwort, hop Japanese and chrysanthemum. CONCLUSION: We suggest the major allergens such as D. pteronyssinus, D. farinae, T. putrescentiae, T. urticae, P. citri, outdoor molds, indoor molds, cat fur, dog hair, German and American cockroaches, tree pollens, mugwort, and hop Japanese pollen should be included in skin test battery in Korea.

Keyword

allergens; sensitization; Korea

MeSH Terms

Allergens*
Alnus
Alternaria
Ambrosia
Animals
Artemisia
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Betula
Blattellidae
Cats
Chrysanthemum
Cladosporium
Dogs
Fagus
Fungi
Hair
Humans
Humulus
Hypersensitivity
Korea*
Periplaneta
Pollen
Skin
Skin Tests
Allergens
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