<b>Cutaneous response to environmental allergens in patients attended in pulmonology service of Maringá, Paraná State, Brazil</b> - doi: 10.4025/actascihealthsci.v34i1.7920

Abstract

Respiratory allergies, especially rhinitis and asthma, are becoming increasingly common. Given that in northwestern Paraná there is little data on the subject, our objective was to verify the causative agents of respiratory allergies and their complications in patients treated at a private pulmonology service in the municipality of Maringá, Paraná. The study was observational, retrospective, lasting from January 2004 to December 2005. Patients were evaluated clinically, and the Prick TestR was performed. The age, positive test, major allergen reagents, presence or absence of atopy, rhinitis or asthma were noted for each individual. Of 396 individuals, 236 (59.3%) were positive for one or more allergens, whereas 80 (20.2%) were positive for three antigens and 85 (21.5%) to four or more. The reactivity of individuals was more frequent for house dust (207), Dermatophagoides pteronyssimus (184), Dermatophagoides farinae (158) and Blomia tropicalis (95). House dust, D. pteronyssimus and D. farinae occurred mainly in subjects with moderate to severe atopy. Over 70% of individuals from six to 20 years of age had atopy. Considering the high level of atopy in patients seen by the pulmonology service in Maringá, it is essential to undertake environment programs, along with monitoring and medical treatment of atopic individuals.