Presentation: House dust mite sensitization and exacerbation of asthma in the fall in children ( World Allergy Congress)

Friday, 16 October 2015

Hall D1 Foyer (Floor 3) (Coex Convention Center)

Jong-Seo Yoon, MD , The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea

Sul Mui Won , The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea

Hwan Soo Kim, MD , The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea

Yoon Hong Chun, MD , The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea

Hyun Hee Kim, MD , The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea

Jin Tack Kim, MD , The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea

Background: Exposure and sensitization to house dust mite (HDM) allergens can trigger asthma exacerbation. The indoor concentration of HDM allergens and the prevalence of asthma exacerbation are higher in the fall than during the other seasons in South Korea.

Methods: The study participants were children who visited the emergency room for acute asthma exacerbation. We measured their serum levels of total immunoglobulin E (IgE), HDM-specific IgE (sIgE), cytokines, and chemokines.

Results: Total IgE and HDM-sIgE levels were higher in the sera from children presenting with asthma exacerbation in the fall. We found no difference in the levels of cytokines and chemokines between the fall and the other seasons.

Conclusion: Based on the fact that acute asthma exacerbation is most prevalent in the fall and that the indoor concentration of HDM allergens is the highest in fall, the higher levels of serum HDM-sIgE in children with asthma exacerbation presenting in the fall may suggest that HDM sensitization could be a risk factor for asthma exacerbation in the fall.

3148 House dust mite sensitization and exacerbation of asthma in the fall in children