No abstract

Allergic contact dermatitis is a common skin problem in Saudi Arabia. Further studies that address the prevalence and incidence of the disease are indicated. The European Standard Series is suitable for patch testing patients in our community; however, we suggest exclusion of benzocaine and primin. The addition of three allergens of local relevance, black seed oil, local perfume mix, and henna, are presented and discussed. The formulation of a regional standard series for patch testing dermatitis patients in our geographic area requires further collaborative studies.

Allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPM) is a known complication of asthma and can result in progressive lung damage, respiratory failure and death. Asthma is a common disease in Saudi Arabia and until now the prevalence of ABPM has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to estimate the period prevalence of ABPM due to Aspergillus and Candida in patients with asthma. The setting was an outpatient pulmonary clinic at a university hospital in the central region of Saudi Arabia. Two hundred and sixty-four consecutive patients with asthma (150 or 57% females) were evaluated. All patients were screened for ABPM with skin prick test (SPT) using a panel of fungal antigens. Those with positive skin reactions had further clinical, immunological, respiratory and radiological assessment. ABPM was diagnosed by the presence of a minimum of five of the major criteria suggested by Rosenberg in 1977. Of the 264 patients, 62 (23%) had a positive SPT for at least one fungal allergen, of whom 44 (71%) were females (P=0.01). Seven patients (six females) were diagnosed with ABPM due to Aspergillus and (or) Candida species. Therefore, we estimate the period prevalence of ABPM to be 2.7% (95% confidence interval 1.3-5.4%). A. niger was the commonest fungal species isolated in our group. In conclusion, ABPM is not uncommon in Saudi Arabia and females seem to be more at risk. Because asthma is common, physicians need to have high index of suspicion for this disease and pursue the diagnosis with the appropriate tests.