BACKGROUND: Skin prick testing is the standard for diagnosing IgE-mediated allergies. However, different allergen extracts and different testing procedures have been applied by European allergy centres. Thus, it has been difficult to compare results from different centres or studies across Europe. It was, therefore, crucial to standardize and harmonize procedures in allergy diagnosis and treatment within Europe. AIMS: The Global Asthma and Allergy European Network (GA(2)LEN), with partners and collaborating centres across Europe, was in a unique position to take on this task. The current study is the first approach to implement a standardized procedure for skin prick testing in allergies against inhalant allergens with a standardized pan-European allergen panel. METHODS: The study population consisted of patients who were referred to one of the 17 participating centres in 14 European countries (n = 3034, median age = 33 years). Skin prick testing and evaluation was performed with the same 18 allergens in a standardized procedure across all centres. RESULTS: The study clearly shows that many allergens previously regarded as untypical for some regions in Europe have been underestimated. This could partly be related to changes in mobility of patients, vegetation or climate in Europe. CONCLUSION: The results of this large pan-European study demonstrate for the first time sensitization patterns for different inhalant allergens in patients across Europe. The standardized skin prick test with the standardized allergen battery should be recommended for clinical use and research. Further EU-wide monitoring of sensitization patterns is urgently needed.
BACKGROUND: Skin prick testing is the standard for diagnosing IgE-mediated allergies. However, different allergen extracts and different testing procedures have been applied by European allergy centres. Thus, it has been difficult to compare results from different centres or studies across Europe. It was, therefore, crucial to standardize and harmonize procedures in allergy diagnosis and treatment within Europe. AIMS: The Global Asthma and Allergy European Network (GA(2)LEN), with partners and collaborating centres across Europe, was in a unique position to take on this task. The current study is the first approach to implement a standardized procedure for skin prick testing in allergies against inhalant allergens with a standardized pan-European allergen panel. METHODS: The study population consisted of patients who were referred to one of the 17 participating centres in 14 European countries (n = 3034, median age = 33 years). Skin prick testing and evaluation was performed with the same 18 allergens in a standardized procedure across all centres. RESULTS: The study clearly shows that many allergens previously regarded as untypical for some regions in Europe have been underestimated. This could partly be related to changes in mobility of patients, vegetation or climate in Europe. CONCLUSION: The results of this large pan-European study demonstrate for the first time sensitization patterns for different inhalant allergens in patients across Europe. The standardized skin prick test with the standardized allergen battery should be recommended for clinical use and research. Further EU-wide monitoring of sensitization patterns is urgently needed.
Authors: Andrzej Bozek; Marek Jąkalski; Monika Jonska-Golus; Agata Filipowska-Gronska; Jerzy Jarząb; Giorgio Walter Canonica Journal: Hum Vaccin Immunother Date: 2018-09-14 Impact factor: 3.452
Authors: Päivi M Salo; Agustin Calatroni; Peter J Gergen; Jane A Hoppin; Michelle L Sever; Renee Jaramillo; Samuel J Arbes; Darryl C Zeldin Journal: J Allergy Clin Immunol Date: 2011-02-12 Impact factor: 10.793
Authors: Mehmet Kilic; Mustafa Kemal Altunoglu; Gül Esma Akdogan; Salih Akpınar; Erdal Taskın; Ahmet Hamdi Erkal Journal: J Environ Health Sci Eng Date: 2020-10-01
Authors: Ingrid Sander; Eva Zahradnik; Gerhard Kraus; Stefan Mayer; Heinz-Dieter Neumann; Christina Fleischer; Thomas Brüning; Monika Raulf-Heimsoth Journal: PLoS One Date: 2012-12-21 Impact factor: 3.240