<p>Minimizing the Number of Aeroallergen Extracts in Skin Prick Test in IgE-Mediated Allergic Disorders in Both Adults and Children in Jordan</p>

Abstract

Background Skin prick test (SPT) is the most common diagnostic procedure that is performed considering the history of aeroallergen sensitivity among patients. Moreover, it is important to identify the diagnostic and therapeutic benefits of allergen’s number in skin prick testing in both adults and children. Objective The present study aims to detect the minimum number of allergens used in SPT to identify 95% of sensitized patients in both pediatric and adult age groups in Jordan. Patients and Methods Retrospective analysis of a 20 allergen extracts SPT results for 2253 patients (aged 8 and above) was conducted to assess the minimum number of allergen extracts needed to identify 95% of the sensitized patients in both adults and children. Results The results showed that 50.9% of the pediatric group was sensitized to at least one aeroallergen extract in comparison to 48.3% of the adult group. Only 8 allergen extracts were necessary to identify 95% of the sensitized patients which are olive pollen, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus , Salsola kali, 4 cereals, Wall pellitory, Dermatophagoides farinae , Cypress and mugwort. Same number was needed in children but with the replacement of mugwort with alternaria to achieve a similar result. Conclusion The study concluded that only 8 allergen extracts were needed for detecting 95% of sensitized patients (both pediatrics and adults) in SPT. The authors proposed a two-stage screening: stage 1 includes the minimum number of allergen extracts to detect 95% of sensitized patients and stage 2 for the patients who tested negative in stage 1 which will include a broader allergen extracts panel excluding those which were already tested in stage 1.

Minimum number and types of allergens for a skin prick test panel in Thai children with allergic respiratory diseases

“…In the present study, we identified eight allergens ( Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus , Dermatophagoides farinae , German cockroach, American cockroach, cat, Acacia , Bermuda grass, and careless weed) that were sufficient to identify 99–100% of sensitized children under 18 years of age with symptoms suggestive of allergic rhinitis or asthma or both. Our results were consistent with previous studies that found only eight to nine allergens were sufficient to identify allergen sensitization in children [ 16 – 18 ]. However, the types of allergens were different in different countries and geographies [ 19 ].…”

“…A recent study from Jordan reported only eight allergen extracts were necessary to identify 95% of the sensitized patients. The eight allergen extracts used in children with allergic rhinitis or asthma or both were olive pollen, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus , Salsola kali , cereals, wall pellitory, Dermatophagoides farinae , cypress, and Alternaria [ 16 ].…”

“…The step-by-step conditional approach was used to determine the allergen from the one that gave the highest increased in prevalence of sensitization to the one that gives the lowest [ 12 , 16 ]. Initially, we identified the most prevalent allergen in all sensitized children.…”

Minimum number and types of allergens for a skin prick test panel in Thai children with allergic respiratory diseases

“…In the present study, we identified eight allergens (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, German cockroach, American cockroach, cat, Acacia, Bermuda grass, and careless weed) that were sufficient to identify 99-100% of sensitized children under 18 years of age with symptoms suggestive of allergic rhinitis or asthma or both. Our results were consistent with previous studies that found only eight to nine allergens were sufficient to identify allergen sensitization in children [16][17][18]. However, the types of allergens were different in different countries and geographies [19].…”