Sensitization to Alternaria spp. in patients with pollinosis in Samara

K.S. Mazokha, M.V. Manzhos, L.R. Khabibulina, E.V. Aseeva, E.Yu. Syrtsova 

Medical University "Reaviz," Samara 

Aim: to assess the prevalence and to describe the clinical features of allergic sensitization to Alternaria spp. in patients with pollinosis in Samara.

Patients and Methods: clinical and allergological examination was carried out in 494 patients, 3–70 years old, who had symptoms of allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma. To assess the prevalence of combined fungal and pollen sensitization, 140 patients with the presence of specific IgE-Abs against Alternaria and pollen allergens were selected. Component-resolved diagnostics was used in 50 patients with sensitization to pollen and symptoms of AR and asthma in July-September — sIgE to nArt v1, nAmb a1, rAlt a1. The assessment included measurements of Ambrosia trifida (Amb t) extract-specific IgE.

Results: fungal sensitization was revealed in 32.1% of pediatric and 20.3% of adult patients, pollen sensitization in 39.9% of children and 46.8% of adults with AR/asthma manifestations. The structure of fungal sensitization was characterized by dominating hypersensitivity to Alternaria spp., which occurred in 97.2% of children and 81.3% of adults. Combined sensitization to pollen and Alternaria allergens was found in 17.6% of children and 10.1% of adults who had symptoms of AR/asthma. As regards the structure of sensitization to Alternaria spp., combined hypersensitivity to pollen was found in 56.2% of children and 61.5% of adults. In children with combined sensitization to Alternaria spp. and plant pollen, the prevalence of comorbidity (AR+asthma) was 2.6 times higher than in patients without a co-occurring pollen allergy. Co-sensitization to Alternaria spp. and plant pollen is a risk factor for developing childhood asthma, increasing its probability by 44%. Using component-resolved allergy diagnostics, the elevated levels of sIgE to rAlt a1 were determined in 10% of patients with mugwort sensitization.

Conclusion: the study findings will help to optimize diagnosing, management and prevention of respiratory allergic diseases in patients with combined fungal and pollen sensitization in Samara.

Keywords: pollinosis, allergic rhinitis, asthma, Alternaria, fungal sensitization, pollen sensitization, comorbidities.

For citation: Mazokha K.S., Manzhos M.V., Khabibulina L.R. et al. Sensitization to Alternaria spp. in patients with pollinosis in Samara. RMJ. 2022;8:35–38.