engleski

Exposure levels and markers of allergy to cockroach (Blattella germanica) in Croatia

Background: Cockroach (CR) allergen levels and markers of allergy were studied in the urban and rural continental areas of Croatia. Methods: Bla g 2 allergen was measured using Dustscreen test (Heska AG, Switzerland) in 94 house dust (HD) samples collected in the standard way from the living room and bedroom floors (35 from rural continental and 59 from urban continental areas). Skin prick testing (SPT) with common inhalatory allergens, Blatella germanica, storage mites Lepidoglyphus destructor and Tyrophagus putrescentiae (ALK-Abello, Denmark) was performed in 188 adult outpatients (mean age 35.02 +/- 13.16 years) examined in our Department for Occupational and Environmental Health, 132 from urban and 56 from rural continental areas of Croatia. Total serum IgE levels were measured using ELISA method (IASON, Austria). Subjects with relevant respiratory and/or skin symptoms, at least one positive SPT (mean urtica diameter 3 mm or larger than the negative control) and/or increased total IgE (> 150 KUI/L) were considered atopic. Results: Hundred and twenty-six subjects were considered atopic and 62 non-atopic. Positive SPT to CR was observed in 20 /188 subjects (10.6%). The mean skin reactivity in SPT positive reactions to CR was low (3.8 +/- 0.94 mm). The frequency of SPT positive subjects to CR was significantly higher in atopic than in non-atopic subjects (14.3%:3.2% p=0, 039). Among 18 atopic subjects with positive SPT to CR, 16/18 had also positive SPT to storage mites, 8/18 had positive SPT to house dust mites, 1/18 was SPT positive only to pollens, 1/18 was SPT positive to pollens and cat, and none was SPT positive only to CR. The frequency of SPT positive subjects to CR was similar in subjects from urban and rural areas (9.8%:12.5% n.s.). In all 94 HD samples, the level of Bla g 2 was not detectable. Conclusions: Our results suggest that there is no relevant exposure to CR allergen in house dust samples from continental areas of Croatia. Consequently, CR allergy is rare in adult population of Croatia, even in atopics. Positive SPT to CR in atopics is connected with positive SPT to storage mites in majority of cases, probably due to cross-reactivity.

: allergy; atopy; Bla g 2; Dustscreen test; German cockroach; house dust samples; skin prick test

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