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India is the home of nearly 20% of the global population with 1.35 billion people. Of all non‐communicable diseases, allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma appear to have increased in India over the past decades. Approximately 22% of adolescents currently suffer from AR in India. However, owing to the lack of adequate epidemiological studies in India, particularly in rural and suburban areas, this number may misrepresent the true burden of this disease. While the risk factors for AR are mainly environmental exposures or genetic factors, several new environmental, social, and behavioural risk factors such as the presence of dumpsters near residences, movement of vehicles near homes, and exposure to artificial light at night have been found to be associated with AR. However, despite international guidelines, the diagnosis and management of AR in India are often suboptimal, for multiple reasons such as the lack of specialized training in allergy and immunology among Indian clinicians, the lack of diagnostic facilities, and the high cost of medications. This review aims at highlighting the current scenario of AR in India and how it differs from the rest of the world. It also highlights the need for developing a strategic approach to enhance the quality of care for allergic diseases by upgrading education and training for healthcare professionals, creating awareness among clinicians and patients, and involving stakeholders and policymakers in making treatments accessible and affordable to patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Only limited Indian data is available regarding the food allergy pattern among allergic rhinitis patients in Indian population. This study aims to assess the pattern of food allergen sensitivity amongst allergic rhinitis patients in central India. Material and Methods: A total of 218 subjects with allergic rhinitis were enrolled in the study (from May 2018 to August 2022). Skin prick test was done in all subjects with proper technique and precautions by using 125 common food allergens and 75 aero allergens. The test readings were noted after 20 minutes by comparing the wheals so formed with the negative control of Saline and positive control of Histamine. Any reaction with a wheal diameter of 3mm or greater was considered as positive. Results: While test results of both food and inhalant allergens were issued to individual patients, this study was restricted to detection and analysis of pattern of food allergens. Our study observed male preponderance with predominantly a third decade affliction. The most common food allergen in the study population was beetle nut (29.3%) followed by chilli powder and spinach (28.8% each). Conclusion: Along with aeroallergens, food allergens are also important provocateurs of allergic rhinitis. Diagnosing the offending food allergens and its avoidance reduces patient morbidity, need for pharmaceutical agents and subsequently drug dependence and its side effects. Offering subjects a replacement diet with food items of similar taste and nutritive character helps in sustainable avoidance therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The prevalence of allergic rhinitis is rising globally and in India. Allergens are agents that trigger allergic rhinitis. Skin prick test is used to identify allergens causing allergic rhinitis. This study was done to know the skin sensitivity to different allergens in allergic rhinitis patients and to assess the percentage of positive skin prick tests which correlate well with history. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 150 patients with allergic rhinitis. Detailed history related allergic rhinitis and ear, nose, throat examination was done for all patients. Skin prick test was done with 11 allergens in allergic rhinitis patients and their sensitivity to allergens was studied. Results: In all, 85 patients were female and 65 patients were male. Dust mite had the highest number of positive responses (65.3%) followed by Cassia occidentalis (34.6%). Of the patients, 13 were positive for 1 allergen, 74 were positive for 2 allergens, and 63 were positive for 3 allergens. Conclusions: Skin prick test is a standard, rapid, sensitive, and inexpensive test used to detect allergens. Dust mite was the commonest allergen (65.3%). This study helps in educating the patients on the allergens to avoid and plan effective preventive measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of allergic diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis is high in the general population, and aeroallergens are the most common allergens that cause airway inflammation. Skin prick testing (SPT) is a validated method to diagnose IgE-mediated allergic diseases. The knowledge of allergen sensitivity pattern in this part of India is limited. The present study was undertaken to identify common aeroallergens prevalent in this area using a standardized SPT. We did a cross-sectional hospital-based study. A total of 330 patients of proven allergic airway disease underwent SPT. We used a validated skin prick test which included 22 allergen extracts, 1 positive control, and 1 negative control. A total of 327 patients were included in the study. Two hundred seventy-one (82.27%, n = 327) patients had a positive SPT to one or more aeroallergen extract. The sensitivity of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (49.85%) was seen in the maximum number of people followed by Dermatophagoides farinae (47.70%). In our study, dust mites were the most common aeroallergen seen in maximum study subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: As allergic disorders are increasing across all age groups, we aim to detect the common offending allergens in various allergic disorders with respiratory, gastrointestinal, or skin manifestations in children between the age group of 2 months and 18 years from the northern part of India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted in patients aged between 2 months and 18 years residing in North India having allergic symptoms such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, the combination of allergic rhinitis and asthma, eczema, urticaria, or gastrointestinal symptoms. All the patients underwent skin prick tests (SPTs) for different allergens, which were selected on the basis of history. RESULTS: A total of 458 patients were enrolled in the study with male: female ratio of 1.7:1. Based on the results of SPT, the most common offending allergens in different allergic manifestations were shortlisted. Patients with respiratory system involvement, the common allergens were house dust mites (HDM) and cockroaches, followed by mosquitoes. Most of the patients with gastrointestinal symptoms have sensitization due to egg white, followed by soybean flour. In children having skin manifestations, sensitization to HDM was most commonly seen. HDM is also responsible in patients having two system involvement such as respiratory with skin and respiratory with gastrointestinal whereas the groundnut was responsible in patients having gastrointestinal along with skin manifestations. CONCLUSION: This study contributed in delineating the most prevalent offending allergens in children of North India with various allergic disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Skin prick testing (SPT) provides information about the presence of specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) to protein and peptide antigens and maybe helpful to identify the triggering food items in chronic urticaria. Objective The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of food allergy among chronic urticaria patients, by doing SPT with commercially available 20 food allergens. Patients and methods All consecutive patients with recurrent urticarial wheals of more than 6 weeks of duration and age more than 12 years and were included. SPT was done using 20 allergens in the study patients after detailed examination. Complete blood count and total serum IgE were checked. Results In all, 62.9 % of chronic urticaria patients had positive SPT to food allergens. No statistically significant association was found between SPT results and demographic parameters, duration of disease, urticaria activity score, or serum IgE levels. In 31.46% (28) patients who had suspected food allergy, only 7 (25%) had a positive SPT result to the corresponding allergen. Conclusion SPT s may be used as a screening test to evaluate food allergy in chronic urticaria patients. The results should better be validated with specific IgE and food challenge tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Self-reported food allergy is very common in asthmatics and hence these food items are frequently avoided by the patients. Food allergy is defined as an adverse immunological response to a dietary protein. Skin prick test (SPT) is a sensitive tool for identifying the presence of specific immunoglobulin E antibodies that can be associated with acute allergic reactions. However, sensitization often exists without clinical consequences, and at the same time, self-reported food allergens are frequently negative on SPT. The purpose of our study was to assess the clinical relevance of self-reported food allergy and the role of SPT in identifying food allergies in patients with bronchial asthma. METHODOLOGY: One hundred bronchial asthma patients were screened for this study, and skin prick testing for 22 food allergens frequently consumed in India, particularly Northern India was performed. RESULTS: A total of 36 subjects reported perceiving precipitation or an increase in severity of the asthmatic symptoms by one or more food items, and the most common food items mentioned in history were curd in 24%, rice in 19%, citrus fruits such as lemon in 14%, orange in 14%, banana in 8%, cold drinks in 16%, and ice creams in 16%. There were 68 patients negative for food allergens by SPT (food allergen negative [FAN] group) and 32 patients were positive (Food allergen Positive [FAP] group). Out of 36 asthmatics with self-reported food allergy, none was found to be SPT positive to the reported food allergens. However, 50% of patients with self-reported and only 21.9% with no history of food allergy were positive to one or more food allergens. Further, FAP group patients were tolerating these foods without any trouble or exacerbation of symptoms. Among the FAP group, 96.9% of patients had positive SPT for one or more other allergens also such as insects, pollens, fungi, or other aeroallergens. Only one patient had isolated food allergy by SPT. It implies that isolated food allergy is very rare in asthmatic patients. Common food allergens found positive by SPT were black gram in 12%, followed by red gram 9% and bengal gram, rice, and Baker's yeast 7% each. CONCLUSION: We concluded that the prevalence of food allergy in India among asthmatic adults though high, has a very poor correlation between patient's history of food allergens that is perceived as a precipitating or exaggerating factor for symptoms and actual sensitization as elicited by SPT. At the same time, there is high nonspecific food sensitization in self-reported patients as compared to those with no history of any perceived food allergy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asthma is a heterogeneous disease with distinct phenotypes. Serum tIgE, SSIgE and SPT are the methods of evaluating allergen sensitization. The present study evaluates the exposure and sensitization to cockroach (Periplaneta americana) antigens in asthma patients in a metropolitan city of India. The study enrolled 200 consecutive bronchial asthma patients, diagnosed as per GINA guidelines. As per history of exposure to cockroaches, the patients are divided in two groups as exposed and non-exposed asthmatic. All the enrolled subjects underwent SPT against common aeroallergens including cockroach, spirometry and estimation of tIgE level and SSIgE against cockroach. Out of 200 asthma patients, a total of 114 (57%) asthmatic were found SPT positive against one of the common aeroallergens, of which 68 (34%) showed SPT sensitivity against cockroach. A total of 103 (51.5%) patients were found exposed to cockroaches. In the cockroach exposed group, the mean serum tIgE was found significantly higher than the non-exposed group (569.31±224.64 vs 479.29±237 IU/ml; p=0.007). The mean SSIgE against cockroach in exposed groups was found not significant than non-expose group (4.87±11.19 vs 4.11±8.39 KUA/L; p=0.589). The mean tIgE was also not significant in atopic compared to non-atopic asthmatic (553.25±218.12 IU/ml vs 489.1±251.16 IU/ml; p=0.056). The mean SSIgE against cockroach was 5.66±10.45 KUA/L for atopic and 2.96±8.98 KUA/L for non-atopic (p=0.054). The airway obstruction was almost the same in both groups. Asthmatic patients who were exposed to cockroach and atopic had high tIgE, SSIgE levels and SPT positivity against cockroach antigen compared to nonexposed patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Nasobronchial allergy is an exceedingly common problem in clinical practice. Estimates reveal that the prevalence of nasobronchial allergy is increasing worldwide, including in India. Sensitivity to individual aeroallergens varies depending on geography, genetic and environmental factors. Aim: To identify the sensitivity pattern to common aeroallergens in poorly controlled asthma patients and to correlate asthma severity with sensitivity to specific aeroallergens. Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on out-patients attending the Department of Pulmonary Medicine with a diagnosis of asthma as per GINA guidelines. Patients above seven years with features of asthma were included in the study. The Asthma severity was assessed using the Asthma Control Test (ACT) questionnaire and lung function studies. SPT was performed as per clinical indication. The skin allergy sensitivity patterns were compared in groups as per their disease severity and level of control using Chi-square and Spearman rank correlation. Results: Patients with features of inadequately controlled asthma (ACT score less than 20 and FEV1 less than 80% predicted) showed a higher occurrence of positive reaction in the SPT to multiple aero and food allergens as compared with those having good ACT score and FEV1 >80%. Conclusion: Allergen sensitivity is very common in asthma. House dust mite, fungal allergens and grass pollens were the common allergen sensitisation identified in subjects with poorly controlled asthma. A correlation was seen between inadequately controlled asthma and sensitisation to multiple aeroallergens. So, vigorous allergen screening and allergen immunotherapy must be included in the management protocol of asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We are living in an unprecedented difficult time due to the infectious COVID-19 pandemic, a global emergency. During the on-going pandemic, most allergy/immunology care could be postponed/delayed or handled through virtual care. Seven experts from different parts of India deliberated on this subject in 3 weekly webinars (May 10, 17, and 24, 2020) charted out consensus-based approach for diagnosis and management of patients suffering with allergic respiratory diseases in India during this COVID-19 pandemic. This publication includes these recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic allergic skin disorders are the inflammatory and proliferative conditions in which both genetic and environmental factors play important roles. Chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) and atopic dermatitis (AD) are among the most common chronic allergic skin disorders. These can be provoked by various food and aeroallergens. Skin prick tests (SPTs) represent the cheapest and most effective method to diagnose type I hypersensitivity. Positive skin tests with a history suggestive of clinical sensitivity strongly incriminate the allergen as a contributor to the disease process. Aim s and Objectives: To determine the incidence of positive SPT in patients with chronic allergic skin disorders and to identify the various allergens implicated in positive SPT. Methods: Fifty patients of chronic allergic disorders were recruited in this study. They were evaluated by SPT with both food and aeroallergens. Results: In our study, SPT positivity in patients of CIU was 63.41% and in AD was 77.78%. Out of the 41 patients of CIU, the most common allergen groups showing SPT positivity were dust and pollen, each comprising 26.83% patients. SPT reaction was positive with food items (21.6%), insects (17.07%), fungus (12.20%), and Dermatophagoides farinae, that is, house dust mite (HDM) (7.32%). The allergen which showed maximum positivity was grain dust wheat (19.51%). Among nine patients of AD, maximum SPT positivity was seen with Dermatophagoides farinae, pollen Amaranthus spinosus, grain dust wheat, and cotton mill dust; each comprising 22.22% of patients. Conclusion: Our study showed that a significant number of patients of CIU and AD showed sensitivity to dust, pollen, insects, Dermatophagoides farinae, and fungi on SPT. Thus, it is an important tool in the diagnosis of CIU and AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The production of silk is a multidimensional and multistep process involving exposure of workers to allergens at work place. The silk allergen has been implicated in the development of bronchial asthma. Objectives: To identify the prevalence of occupational asthma (OA) and to identify sensitization to silk allergen and among workers in silk filature units. Materials and Methods: A community‑based cross‑sectional study was conducted in silk filature units of Ramanagara (Silk City) in Karnataka, South India, for a period of 6 months. One hundred and twenty workers of silk filature units who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were recruited into the study group. For comparison, a control group comprising of 120 individuals not working in silk filature units was constituted. All the subjects were interviewed using the standardized International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (IUATLD) Questionnaire and subjected to the skin prick test, which used the extracts of silk allergen. Results: The study group comprised of 35 males and 85 females, whereas the control group comprised of 58 males and 62 females. The prevalence of occupational asthma among workers in silk filatures was 20.83%. It was observed that 35.83% of those in the study group and 20.83% of those in the control group were found to be sensitive to silk allergen. This difference was statistically significant (χ2 = 6.64; P < 0.05). Conclusion: There is a high burden of sensitization to silk allergen and occupational asthma among silk filature workers in South India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Burkard personal volumetric sampler was used at Sriniketan, a town about 150 km northwest of Calcutta, in the state of West Bengal, in eastern India to record the frequency of three common airborne Cassia pollen types, Cassia tora, Cassia occidentalis, and Cassia fistula for two consecutive years (2004-2006). Correlation was made between the meteorological factors and the pollen concentration in the atmosphere. The study reports Cassia pollinosis by in vivo skin prick test in respiratory allergic patients. The highest positive reactions were exhibited by C. tora (34.7 %), C. fistula (33.3 %), and C. occidentalis (28.5 %). The allergic potential of these was investigated by in vitro enzyme linked immunosorbent assay test. Their protein components were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, in the range of 15.8-81.5 kDa. In C. occidentalis and C. fistula, 11 bands were found, while it was 10 in C. tora. The results show that the Cassia pollen occur significantly in the atmosphere with the potential to elicit an allergic response in susceptible patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Skin prick test (SPT) is the most effective diagnostic test to detect IgE mediated type I allergic reactions like allergic rhinitis, atopic asthma, acute urticaria, food allergy etc. SPTs are done to know allergic sensitivity and applied for devising immunotherapy as the therapeutic modality. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted in the department of Immunology and Molecular medicine at SKIMS. A total of 400 patients suffering from allergic rhinitis, asthma and urticaria were recruited in this study. SPT was performed with panel of allergens including house dust mite, pollens, fungi, dusts, cockroach, sheep wool and dog epithelia. Allergen immunotherapy was given to allergic rhinitis and asthmatic patients as therapeutic modality. Results: In our study, age of patients ranged from 6 to 65 years. Majority of patients were in the age group of 20-30 years (72%) with Male to female ratio of 1:1.5. Of the 400 patients, 248 (62%) had urticaria, 108 (27%) patients had allergic rhinitis and 44 (11%) patients had asthma. SPT reaction was positive in 38 (86.4%) with allergic asthma, 74 (68.5%) patients with allergic rhinitis and 4 (1.6%) patient with urticaria, respectively. Allergen immunotherapy was effective in 58% patients with allergic rhinitis and 42% allergic asthma. Conclusion: Identifiable aeroallergen could be detected in 86.4% allergic asthma and 68.5% allergic rhinitis patients by SPT alone. Pollens were the most prevalent causative allergen. There was significant relief in the severity of symptoms, medication intake with the help of allergen immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Only a few case reports of allergy to eggplant ( Solanum melongena) have been reported. A relatively large number of individuals appear to experience food-related symptoms to eggplant in India. Objective The major aims of this study are to assess the prevalence of food allergy to eggplant and analyse the age and gender distribution. Methods Seven hundred and forty-one subjects (age range: 5–60 years) randomly selected from rural and urban areas of Mysore city were analysed for the prevalence of eggplant allergy based on case history, skin prick test (SPT) with eggplant extracts and allergen-specific IgE. The age and gender distribution for the prevalence of eggplant allergy and its association with other atopic conditions were assessed. Results Sixty-eight (9.2%) subjects reported adverse reactions to ingestion of eggplant, of which 32 (4.3%) subjects had positive history/positive SPT and 36 (4.9%) had positive history/negative SPT. Sixteen (2.2%) subjects had negative history/positive SPT. Ten subjects (1.4%) experienced allergic symptoms in <2 h. Sensitization to eggplant by SPT was more in atopic (16.7%) compared with non-atopic subjects (3.8%). All the SPT-positive subjects ( n=48) underwent evaluation for eggplant allergen-specific IgE, which was detected in 6 subjects (0.8%). Majority of the subjects sensitized to eggplant were in the age groups 16–45 years, and females were twice as likely to be sensitized as males. Female predominance (4 : 1) is more in the 16–30 year group. Conclusions Many subjects experience adverse reactions to the ingestion of eggplant, possibly due to the pharmacologic action of histamine and other non-protein components, rather than to specific protein allergen(s). The prevalence of IgE-mediated eggplant allergy is estimated at ∼0.8%, with higher rates of sensitization in females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Atopic dermatitis is a major problem among the urban population and it can be aggravated or triggered by various allergens. Atopic patch test can be used as a diagnostic tool in characterizing patients with allergen triggered atopic dermatitis. Aims: 1. Patch testing to reproduce an eczematous reaction by applying prick test allergens under occlussion on intact skin. 2. To find the allergen associated with atopic dermatitis. 3. To find the specific allergen which causes or exacerbates atopic dermatitis in a given subject. Methods: Seventy five subjects with atopic dermatitis were included in our study and patch tests using prick test allergens were applied to the back. Reading was done after 48 and 72hours Results: Out of the 75 subjects tested, 47% showed positive reactions, parthenium accounted for 42% of all positive reactions. Conclusions: Epicutaneous application of prick test antigen on intact skin can produce a reaction. Parthenium is commonest allergen in Bangalore. Counselling based on patch test reports may help to reduce morbidity and improve quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

West Bengal, India, is inhabited by abundance and variety of insects that triggers sensitization in some humans to inhalant allergens and/or insect stings/venoms. Lack of research on this topic prevented accurate diagnosis and proper follow-up treatments to patients suffering from insect-induced allergies. The aim of our study was to identify the allergy-causing insects and evaluate resulting sensitization among a study population in West Bengal, India. The skin prick test (SPT) evaluated sensitivity of 450 patients who sought treatment at the Allergy and Asthma Research Center from July 2017 to June 2018. Eight insect allergens were tested: Common Black Ant (Lasius niger, Linnaeus 1758), Fire Ant (Solenopsis invicta, Buren 1972), Honey Bee (Apis cerana indica, Fabricius 1798), Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris, Linnaeus 1758), Mosquito (Aedes aegypti, Linnaeus in Hasselquist 1762), American Cockroach (Periplaneta americana, Linnaeus 1758), House Fly (Musca domestica, Linnaeus 1758), and Grasshopper (Gesonula punctifrons, Stal 1861). From a total of 450 patients evaluated, 370 patients had positive SPT reaction from at least one of the 8 insect allergens tested. Sensitivity to some Hymenoptera insects (common black ant, 87.62%; fire ant, 84.59%; and honey bee, 67.02%) was found in higher proportion than non-Hymenoptera group (mosquito, 66.67%; American cockroach, 33.33%; house fly, 10.41%; and grasshopper, 5.14%). There was significant difference in sensitivity among child, adolescent, and adult (P < 0.001). While female patients showed more sensitivity than males to SPT, the difference was statistically insignificant. In regards to occupation, farmers and bee keepers were most sensitive of field workers sensitive to Hymenoptera-derived allergens., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

House dust mites (HDMs) are the major constituents of house dust (HD). HD and HDM sensitization is well documented worldwide. Storage mite (SM) sensitization is presently lacking from India. The present study evaluated the sensitization of both HDM and SM among 372 allergic rhinitis patients reported to the Allergy and Asthma Research Center of Kolkata metropolitan, India. HD samples were collected from the patients' home and analyzed for the major constituent mites. HD and six constituent mites Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (DP), Dermatophagoides farina Hughes (Acari: Pyroglyphidae) (DF), Blomia tropicalis (BT), Acarus siro Linnaeus (Acari: Acaridae) (AS), Lepidoglyphus destructor (LD), and Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) (Acari: Acaridae) (TP) are tested for the allergenic potential through Skin Prick Test (SPT). Three SMs, namely AS, LD, and TP, were newly included in the mite SPT extract for the first time in Kolkata. In total, 330 patients showed significant positive SPT toward any one allergen tested. HD was the major elicitor exhibiting 92.42% response. Individuals of age group 15-40 were the worst sufferers. DF showed the highest sensitization (87.87%) among the dust mites. The SMs also contributed significantly to prove their sensitizing potential. SPT rates for AS, LD, and TP were 33, 25, and 18%, respectively. SPT grades and total Immunoglobulin E (IgE) were positively correlated for each of the allergens. Most of the patients were multi-sensitized (95%) and represented markedly high total IgE levels (>500 IU/ml). Three SMs proved to be significant allergens for the studied population. The sensitization toward these SMs is first time reported from India and can be recommended for inclusion of routine SPT for better outcome in the future., (© The Author(s) 2018. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Background: Aeroallergen sensitization is increasing worldwide. The optimal management of allergic disease requires the identification of the allergic sensitivities of the patient. Complete data of offending aeroallergens are scant from West Bengal, India. Hence, we employed a retrospective analysis of an atopic population of West Bengal to investigate the rate of sensitivity toward common aeroallergens including pollens, molds and house dust mites., Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the profile of skin prick test (SPT) reactivity of an atopic population of eastern India., Methods: The prevalence aeroallergen sensitization was investigated by SPT along with a questionnaire survey of patients who visited the Allergy and Asthma Research Center of West Bengal, India, from June 2016 to May 2018. Patients were categorized according to the demographic (age, gender) and clinical aspects. Statistical tests were applied to differentiate between age and gender of the sufferers., Results: 524 out of 605 patients exhibited a positive SPT response toward one or more aeroallergens tested. One-way ANOVA following Tukey's post hoc test reveals the age group of 15-40 years was more sensitized than that of < 15 years and no male-female discrimination was found using the paired t test. House dust mites, namely Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae, elicited most significant SPT results (80.34 and 84.92%, respectively) followed by Cocos (73.28%) and Azaridacta (57.25%) pollen. The most sensitive mold was Alternaria alternata (26.9%). Allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma and atopic dermatitis were recorded as the common symptoms. Other influencing factors were family history, nature and season/time of onset and house conditions., Conclusion: Following the increasing trend, house dust mite sensitization still held the dominance like in any other Indian population reported earlier. This study would pave the way to construct a standard and minimal SPT panel for the atopic patients of eastern India., (© 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background: Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is characterized by an allergic inflammatory response to colonization by Aspergillus species, most commonly Aspergillus fumigatus., Aim: To study the prevalence of ABPA in asthmatic patients presenting to our institute., Materials and Methods: All consecutive asthma patients attending our allergy clinic Out Patient Department (OPD) over a period of 20 months were tested with skin prick test (SPT) for Aspergillus antigens and those who were found positive were further evaluated for ABPA using Greenberger's criteria., Results: Seventy consecutive asthmatic patients were screened by SPT using Aspergillus antigens. Thirteen patients (18.57%) were found to be SPT positive, out of which nine patients (12.9%) were diagnosed as having ABPA using Greenberger's criteria. ABPA was common among 25-35 age group with no gender predilection. ABPA patients had longer duration of illness, predominantly mixed pattern in PFT, higher mean absolute eosinophil count (AEC) and serum total IgE compared to non-ABPA asthmatic patients. Specific IgE for A. fumigatus was positive in all ABPA patients and serum precipitins were positive in seven patients (77.58%). Chest X-ray abnormalities were seen in five patients (55.6%) and HRCT showed central bronchiectasis in eight patients (88.9%) with varying other radiological features. None were sputum fungal culture positive and five patients (55.6%) have been misdiagnosed as pulmonary tuberculosis in the past., Conclusion: The prevalence of ABPA is significantly higher in bronchial asthma patients presenting to tertiary care centers and hence awareness is required among physicians for early diagnosis and management of ABPA to achieve better asthma control and to avoid permanent lung damage., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.)