Abstract
Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of skin prick test reactivity to aeroallergens in patients with asthma and rhinitis (airway allergy) residing in Riyadh region. During the period between Jan. 2003 and March 2004, allergy skin prick test results of 139 Saudi nationals (53% females and 47% males, mean age 27 + 12 years) with a clinical diagnosis of airway allergy residing in Riyadh region were analyzed in retrospect at King Khalid University Hospital Riyadh. A set of aeroallergens extracts for both indoor and outdoor allergens including fungal spores was used to test the patients. Of the total 75% (105) patients with airway allergy reacted to one or more allergen extracts. Most frequently reacting indoor allergen was house dust mite (77.8%) followed by the cat (33.6%) and cockroach (19.2%) allergens. Among the outdoor allergens Prosopis juliflora tested positive in 72.1%, Bermuda grass in 53.8%, Chenopodium album in 47.1%, Rye grass in 36.5% and Salsola kali in 36.5%. A significant proportion of patients were also found reacting to Moulds (18.2%) and Aspergillus fumigatus (18.2%) extracts. Sensitivity to one or more aeroallergens was common in atopic patients, indicating high level of aeroallergen sensitization in patients with airway allergy residing in Riyadh region.