Prevalence and patterns of mite allergy in bronchial asthma patients visiting a tertiary care centre

Abstract

Among obstructive respiratory conditions asthma has been frequently affecting individuals from all age groups. Events that lead to an asthma attack is an interplay of multifactorial factors between host and the environment. Earlier evidences have indicated that aeroallergens play a major role in the pathogenesis of asthma and needs further probing.To identify the most common mites causing allergy and its prevalence in patients with bronchial asthma using skin prick test.The study population included in this study were cases diagnosed as Bronchial Asthma on spirometry basis. The cases underwent a detailed history, physical examination, routine investigations and a Skin Prick Test (SPT). SPT for aeroallergens was done using CREDISOL kit and the reaction was observed in 15 mins, wheal diameters more than 3 mm were recorded as sensitization to the allergen and interpreted accordingly.The prevalence of Mite allergy was observed more in females when compared to males. Most common House Dust mite was found to be Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (72.5%) followed by Dermatophagoides farinae (66.25%) and Blomia tropicalis (61.25%). Different patterns of sensitisation were observed. Either to a single mite, any two mites and all three mites.: The study concluded that D. pteronyssinus was the most common allergen in the study population of Bronchial Asthma.