Sensitization to Allergens among Patients with Allergic Rhinitis in Warm Dry Climates

Result: Specific IgE antibodies were detected in 29/42 (69%) of all the subjects. The sensitization rate was highest for pollen while results for other allergen groups are as follows: pollen 86/127 (66.9%), animal dander 29/127 (22.8%), HDM 11/127 (8.6%) and moulds 2/127 (1.6%). Among allergenic pollen, mixed grasses were the most common cause of sensitization 14/127 (11.0%). Sensitization rate to cat and dog danders are 12/127 (9.4%) and 10/127 (7.9%), while dander from horse 4/127 (3.1%), guinea pig 1/127 (0.8%) and golden hamster 2/127 (1.6%) caused lower rates of sensitization. Pteronyssinus and farinae are the most prevalent indoor sensitizers 4/127 (3.1%) and 7/127 (5.5%). Sensitization to mould is relatively rare 2/127 (1.6%).