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Aud-in S, Juprasong Y, Pinkaew B, Talek K, Tantilipikorn P, Songnuan W. Incidence of grass and weed sensitization in Bangkok, Thailand: a clinical study. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1301095. [PMID: 38605873 PMCID: PMC11007029 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1301095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a prevalent public health concern globally, significantly impacting quality of life. In Thailand, the prevalence of AR is rising, with grass and weed pollen identified as primary outdoor triggers. Objectives This study aimed to (1) assess patterns of pollen sensitization in Thai AR patients and (2) investigate correlations between demographics/clinical data and SPT results. Methods A total of 121 individuals aged ≥18 years with clinically diagnosed AR were recruited. Skin prick testing (SPT) was performed using a panel of commonly encountered tropical grass and weed pollen extracts. SPT wheal sizes and clinical symptom scores were recorded. Correlations between SPT outcomes and symptom scores were analyzed. Results Among the participants, 104 (85.95%) exhibited positive SPT reactions to at least one pollen type. Nutsedge (76/121), para grass (57/121), and Bermuda grass (48/121) were the most frequently identified allergens. Hurricane grass elicited the strongest reaction, evidenced by the highest average wheal size (6.2 mm). Poly-sensitization was observed in 77 (63.6%) of the SPT-positive individuals, with most cases involving two different pollen extracts (35/77). Notably, AR severity positively correlated with both average wheal size and the number of positive SPT tests. Conclusion This study highlights nutsedge, para grass, and Bermuda grass as major allergenic pollen sources for Thai AR patients. Including nutsedge, hurricane grass, and careless weed in clinical SPT panels is recommended for improved diagnostic accuracy. Additionally, the positive correlation between AR severity and pollen reaction strength emphasizes the importance of implementing patient education and avoidance strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sirirat Aud-in
- Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Systems Biology of Diseases Research Unit, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Yotin Juprasong
- Systems Biology of Diseases Research Unit, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Graduate Program in Toxicology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology (EHT), Office of the Permanent Secretary (OPS), Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Bannapuch Pinkaew
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Division of Rhinology and Allergy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kanokporn Talek
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Division of Rhinology and Allergy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pongsakorn Tantilipikorn
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Division of Rhinology and Allergy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Research Excellence in Allergy and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Wisuwat Songnuan
- Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Systems Biology of Diseases Research Unit, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology (EHT), Office of the Permanent Secretary (OPS), Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Research Excellence in Allergy and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Evaluation of The Safety and Efficacy of Newly Developed Domestic Allergenic Extracts for Skin Prick Testing. Rep Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 10:257-265. [PMID: 34604415 DOI: 10.52547/rbmb.10.2.257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Background Allergic disorders are common health problems worldwide with significant socio-economic impacts. The best diagnostic method using allergenic extract is the skin prick test. Regarding the effects of geo-climatic factors and allergenic extract source material quality, the aim of study was to determine the safety and efficacy of some in-house-developed allergenic extracts. Methods Forty-five different allergenic extracts, including common regional pollen, foods, and dog and cat hair, as well as positive and negative extracts, were prepared from domestic sources using optimum extraction methods. All extracts passed stability and sterility testing, and sterile final products containing 50% glycerin in 10 and 20 w/v concentrations were used. Skin prick testing was performed on volunteers and immediate or late side effects were recorded. Results In total, 56 students (mean age: 21.2±2.3y, M/F ratio: 1.07) participated in this study. For inhalant allergens, all extracts except dog hair extract caused positive responses. Salsola kali (Russian thistle) and Fraxinus velutina (ash tree) were the most common grass and tree pollen extracts, respectively. Of 18 different food extracts, five, including egg white, tomato, fig, melon, and green pepper caused skin reactivity in only one person. No participant reported any immediate or late side effects, including large local reaction or systemic response. Conclusion The result of the current study confirmed the safety of all our in-house-developed allergenic extracts. Regarding efficacy, almost all inhalant and five food allergens caused positive skin responses.
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