Effects of Exposure to Indoor Fine Particulate Matter on Atopic Dermatitis in Children

This study aimed to investigate the short-term effect of exposure to indoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on atopic dermatitis (AD) symptoms in children. Sixty-four children (40 boys and 24 girls) with moderate-to-severe AD, aged under 18 years were enrolled in the study. They were followed up from February 2019 through November 2020. Exposure to indoor PM2.5 in each household of the enrolled children and their AD symptoms were measured daily. The generalized linear mixed model was utilized for statistical analysis. Subdivision analysis was performed by stratifying the patients by age, sex, season, severity, the presence of family allergic diseases, sensitization, and indoor environment conditions including temperature and relative humidity. A total of 9,321 person-days of AD symptom data were collected. The average PM2.5 concentration was 28.7 ± 24.3 µg/m3, with the highest value in winter (47.1 ± 29.6 µg/m3). The overall effect of PM2.5 on AD symptoms was not statistically significant. However, an increase of 10 µg/m3 in indoor PM2.5 concentration increased AD symptom scores by 16.5% (95% CI: 6.5, 27.5) in spring and12.6% (95% CI: 4.3, 21.5) in winter, 6.7% (95% CI: 2.3, 11.3) at indoor temperatures of <25.5 °C, and by 15.0% (95% CI: 3.5, 27.7) with no use of an air purifier. The harmful effect of PM2.5 in boys, in children aged ≥6 years, and in children with inhalant allergen sensitization was significant, showing an increase in AD symptoms of 4.9% (95% CI: 1.4, 8.6), 12.0% (95% CI: 5.3, 19.1), and 7.0% (95% CI: 1.9, 12.3) per 10 µg/m3 of PM2.5, respectively. Furthermore, children with inhalant allergen sensitization plus severe symptoms (SCORing Atopic Dermatitis, SCORAD ≥ 30.7, median value) showed more harmful effects from exposure to PM2.5 (15.7% (95% CI: 4.5, 28.1) increase in AD symptom scores per 10 µg/m3 of PM2.5 increase). Indoor exposure to PM2.5 exacerbated AD symptoms in children in spring, winter, and at indoor temperatures of < 25.5 °C. In particular, this harmful effect was prominent in children with inhalant allergen sensitization and severe symptoms. Minimizing exposure to indoor PM2.5 is needed for the proper management of AD.

The Role of Allergen Sensitivity on Pityriasis Alba

Objective: Pityriasis alba is mostly seen in individuals with a history of atopy, although it may occur in non-atopic individuals. Despite many hypothesis, no certain etiologic factor for pitryriasis alba has been determined. We aimed to investigate the roles of environmental factors, inhalant and food allergy sensitization in its etiopathogenesis. Methods: We noted patients’ and controls’ age, gender, education level of parents, xerosis, hand soap type, bathing frequency, bath water temperature, wind condition in the location, using sun screen cream, sun exposure time, results of inhalant allergen and food allergen testing. Inhalant allergy test was carried out through a skin prick test for children older than two years, and a food allergy test was carried out through prick to prick test for children of all ages. Results: The findings showed that there were significant relationships between pityriasis alba and xerosis, inhalant allergen sensitization (p<0.0001, p=0.009, respectively). Conclusion: We conclude that xerosis and inhalant allergen sensitization are associated with pityriasis alba. Therefore, we think that clinicians should suggest moisturizers to patients with pityriasis alba and make their inhalant allergy tests in clinical follow-up of patients.

KAITAN IgE SPESIFIK METODE IMUNOBLOT TERHADAP ELISA PADA RINITIS ALERGI (Association Between Specific IgE Immunoblot Method with ELISA on Allergic Rhinitis)

Allergic rhinitis is an allergic disease that is most often found beside bronchial asthma and eczema with the prevalence of is about33.3%, 9.8% and 11.2% respectively. The main examinations of allergic rhinitis are Skin Prick Test (SPT) and specific IgE, becausethe sensitivity and specificity of specific IgE examination depend on the examination method. To know the diagnostic value of specificIgE immunoblot examination by determination and were compared with ELISA in patients with allergic rhinitis. The cross-sectionaldesign of the study is con-ducted on patients at the Outpatient Clinic Department of ENT-Head and Neck from May until October 2014.Patients were grouped as diagnosis of allergic rhinitis and non-allergic non-infectious rhinitis based on clinical signs and symptoms,physical examina-tion, positive in SPT examination with or without an increase in total serum IgE and/or blood eosinophils. SpecificIgE immunoblot was conducted by using Foresight®, Acon Laboratories and the ELISA method using Allercoat™. The sensitivity andspecificity of inhalant allergen -specific IgE immunoblot Foresight® method was 73.9% and 42.9%, respectively. The sensitivity andspecificity of inhalant allergen -specific IgE ELISA method was 67.4% and 57.1%, respectively. The results of these two methods havea correlation coefficient 0.531 with p=0.000. The sensitivity and specificity of ingestan allergen specific IgE immunoblot Foresight®method was 41.3% and 85.7%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of ingestan allergen specific IgE ELISA method was 17.4 and78.6%, res-pectively. Results of these two methods have a correlation coefficient 0.375 with p=0.003. Based on this study of specificIgE immunoblot and ELISA methods, both have diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, which are almost the same. The sensitivity ofimmunoblot method inhalant allergens are superior to ELISA. The Immunoblot method ingestan allergen specificity is superior toELISA.