Survey of the Prevalence of Allergic Asthma by Emphasizing the Role of House Dust Mites and Fungal Saprophytes in Patients Referred to Medical Clinics of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences Using Prick Skin and Solid Phase Immunoassay Tests

Abstract

Considering the unavoidable role of allergens caused by mites and fungi in public health and especially its prominent role in the etiology of asthma and allergies in humans, in this research for the first time in Tabriz skin prick test using whole cell extract Fungal allergens and mites, as well as specific serum IgE ImmunoCAP Phadiatop test was used to determine anti-allergens to prove the role of mites and fungus in the etiology of disease in asthma and allergy sufferers. Materials and Methods: In this study, patients with respiratory disorders referred to medical centers in Tabriz during spring to mid-summer of 2021-2022 were evaluated. Patient information including age, gender, clinical symptoms, CBC and spirometry tests were recorded. Respiratory symptoms (cough, shortness of breath or chest tightness), spirometry measurements with and without bronchodilator) and methacholine test were performed under the supervision of a specialist physician in cases where pulmonary function tests were normal, and only those Patients who had a positive methacholine or pulmonary function test were selected to enter the study. Results: A total of 202 patients aged 10 to 85 years, 93male and 109 female, were included in the study after observing the clinical symptoms of respiratory allergy. The highest frequency of patients with allergies to fungi and mites is related to the age group of 25-50 years and the lowest number of people over 75 years old. 44% of cases were infected with fungal allergen and 56% of cases were infected with mite allergen. Fungal allergens include Alternaria in 64 people (14.1%), Aspergillus in 51 people (11.2%), Cladosporium in 38 people (8.3%), Penicillium in 37 people (8.2%) and Mucor in 10 people (2.2 %), and mite allergens included Dermatophagoid patricinus in 104 people (23%), for Dermatophagoid farina in 149 people (33%). Among the investigated patients, 14 people (93.6%) had mild asthma, 73 people (36.14%) had moderate asthma, and 115 people (66.93%) had severe asthma. Also, 50 people (24.75%) of them had specific IgE against fungal and mite agents, 51 people (25.25%) had positive eosinophilia, and 49 people (24.25%) had a positive skin test; Among the people with positive specific IgE against fungi and mites, 5 people (10%) have mild asthma, 15 people (30%) have moderate asthma, 30 people (60%) have severe asthma, 22 people (44%) have eosinophilia. positive and 14 people (28%) had a positive skin test; In the ages between 26-50 years, the prevalence of eosinophilia (27.93%); The presence of specific IgE (27.03%) and positive skin test (24.32%) were observed in the serum of patients. The statistical test showed a significant relationship between the age group of 26 to 50 years and specific IgE (P=0.022) and in comparing positive specific IgE reaction and eosinophilia, a statistically significant difference was observed (p<0.001).