Sensitisation to mites in a group of patients with asthma in Yaounde, Cameroon: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectivesSensitisation of asthmatic patients to mites in sub-Saharan Africa has been less described. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and determinants of sensitisation to mites in asthmatic adolescents and adults in Yaounde, Cameroon.DesignThis was a cross-sectional study. Logistic regression models were employed to investigate the determinants of sensitisation to mites.SettingThis study was carried out at the Jamot Hospital and CEDIMER private centre, in Yaounde, capital city of Cameroon.ParticipantsAll asthmatic patients received in consultations from January 2012 to June 2013 and in whom prick-skin tests for perennial aeroallergens were performed were included.Outcome measuresPrevalence of sensitisation to mites and associated factors.ResultsIn total, 201 patients (132 being women, 65.7%), with a median age of 36 (25th–75th centiles: 20–54) years were included, with 135 (67.2%) having a positive skin test for mites. Sensitisation to Dermatophagoïdes pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae and Blomia tropicalis was found in 53.2%, 49.8% and 47.8% of the patients, respectively. Intermittent rhinitis (16.3% vs 7.6%) and persistent rhinitis (43.0% vs 22.7%) were more frequent in sensitised patients than in the non-sensitised ones (p<0.010). Independent allergological determinants of sensitisation to mites were sensitisation to Alternaria alternata (adjusted OR 14.98 (95% CIs 1.96 to 114.4)) and sensitisation to Blattella germanica (3.48 (1.34 to 9.00)).ConclusionsSensitisation to mites was found in about two-thirds of asthmatic patients in this setting, with a frequent multiple sensitisations to A alternata and Blattella germanica. Systematically investigating asthmatic patients for mites' sensitisation and determinants will help optimising the care in this setting by combining the aetiological treatment for the allergy with symptomatic treatment for asthma, in order to modify the natural course of the disease.

Effect of smoking on acute phase reactants, stress hormone responses and vitamin C in pulmonary tuberculosis

“…In the case of the former, however, differences in cavitation, which is largely immune-mediated, may be difficult to detect due to smoking-related pulmonary immune dysfunction; irrespective of this caveat, a previous study involving 13,088 cases of pulmonary TB has, however, documented more severe cavitary disease in smokers 6 . With respect to culture conversion, delayed sputum conversion in smokers has also been reported in several studies [27][28][29] . Follow-up studies may also identify the relative contributions of infection and smoking to the observed alterations in vitamin C status.…”

Sensitivity to House Dust Mites Allergens in Patients with Allergic Asthma in Erzincan Province, Turkey

“…In addition to the medical history and clinical examination, SPT and determination of allergen-specific IgE are the leading diag- (12,14,(16)(17)(18)(24)(25)(26).…”

“…To better understand the etiology of AA and allergic sensitization, it is essential to investigate patients' homes for HDM and to concomitantly conduct skin and serological tests (10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18).…”

Cutaneous sensitizations and allergies to house dust mites among adults patients with rhinitis or asthma followed at Parakou in the North of Benin

“…Les travaux antérieurs réalisés sur les acariens dans ces pays aux ressources limitées ne sont pas nombreux. Quelques-uns ont été effectués dans certaines villes d'Afrique subsaharienne et ont retrouvé des fréquences élevées de sensibilisation aux acariens, que ce soit dans la population générale ou chez des patients suivis pour des manifestations d'ordre allergique [12][13][14].…”

“…Cependant, il a été difficile, faute de tests moléculaires de conclure à une co-sensibilisation ou plutôt à des réactions croisées entre des espèces ou des familles d'acariens[9]. Un pourcentage légèrement plus élevé a été retrouvé à Yaoundé parmi des asthmatiques suivis, 34,8%[13]. Une telle sensibilisation est aussi fréquente en population générale ; elle était de 14,5% parmi des jeunes adultes dans un travail réalisé à Douala par Mbatchou et al[12].…”