Fungi Sensitization in Spain: Importance of the <i>Alternaria alternata</i> Species and Its Major Allergen Alt a 1 in the Allergenicity

oleh: Verónica P. López Couso, Miguel Tortajada-Girbés, David Rodriguez Gil, Jorge Martínez Quesada, Ricardo Palacios Pelaez

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2021-08-01

Deskripsi

Prevalence of allergy to fungi is around 3–10%. The most prevalent species involved in sensitizations are <i>Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus fumigatus, Cladosporium herbarum,</i> and <i>Penicillium notatum</i>. Our main objective was to estimate the prevalence of fungal sensitization and its variation across Spain. Following the ICH-GCP, we recruited 1156 patients from 15 allergy departments in Spain. Hospitals were selected by bioclimatic areas. Patients underwent a skin prick test (SPT) with fungi, pollens, house dust mites, and animal dander. Specific IgE to <i>Alternaria alternata</i> and Alt a 1 was assessed in patients with positive SPT to fungi. Of the 233 patients (20.2%) sensitized to at least one of the five fungi tested, 162 (69.5%) were sensitized to <i>Alternaria alternata</i> and Alt a 1, of whom 113 (69.8%) were children; 181 (77.7%) were also polysensitized to other allergens. <i>Alternaria alternata</i> and Alt a 1 sensitization was present in 25.4% of patients in the Continental area, 12.0% in the Mediterranean area, 7.0% in the Semidesertic area, and 2.3% in the Oceanic area. Prevalence of sensitization to the other tested sources was 63.8% to pollens, 60.5% to house dust mite, and 38.1% to animal dander. We concluded that the prevalence of fungal allergy is increasing. Fungi are still the fourth source of allergen sensitization. <i>Alternaria alternata</i> sensitization is the most prevalent in allergic patients to fungi. Alt a 1 is present in almost 90% of the patients sensitized to <i>Alternaria alternata.</i>