Sensitization to Aeroallergens in Patients with Primary Immunodeficiencies

Abstract

Background: Primary immunodeficiencies (PID) are a heterogeneous group of diseases that cause alterations in the immune system, leading to the increased susceptibility to infections, autoimmune diseases, and malignancies. The aim was to evaluate the presence of clinical manifestations and diagnoses of asthma, rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis in patients diagnosed with PID, and correlate these with allergen sensitization verified by skin prick testing (SPT). Material and Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive, and observational study was conducted from February 2015 to February 2016. We performed a medical report analysis and SPT for aeroallergens in patients with a PID diagnosis. Results: Thirty-one patients with a PID diagnosis were included. The mean age of the participants was 15.41 years. From the 31 patients, 28 had symptoms suggestive of allergic disease (asthma, rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis) and only 7 presented positive SPT for at least 1 aeroallergen. Conclusion: The frequency of allergenic sensitization in the group of patients with PID and symptoms suggestive of asthma, rhinitis, or atopic dermatitis is lower than that found in the general population, probably due the impairment of IgE formation secondary to their immunologic alterations.

Chronic Rhinosinusitis in Patients with Primary Immunodeficiency

“…Similarly, in the study by Agondi et al [43] in patients with a CVID diagnosis, although 43.1% of patients had a history of atopy, only 5% of patients demonstrated allergy [39]. In contrast to our study, the study by Özcan et al [44] of 318 children diagnosed with PID had low skin test positivity (18.6%) [41].…”

“…Nevertheless, there is no statistical association between allergen sensitization and CRS. Segundo et al [41] showed in their study, which included pediatric and adult patients with immunodeficiency, that 90.3% of patients had allergic symptoms but only 22% had a positive skin prick test. This was interpreted to mean that an impaired IgE response in immunodeficiency might be associated with a lower positive skin prick test response [42].…”