D3.75 - Molecular sensitization profiles and clinical patterns in Albanian children with respiratory allergies

Various patterns of molecular sensitization have been identified in different studies,

elucidating that individual sensitization profiles provide important insights into clinical manifestations of respiratory allergies and severity. This study aimed to explore the pollen molecular sensitization profiles and the potential relationships with clinical manifestations and disease severity.

We have analyzed data from 69 consecutive children (mean age: 11.03 years) with symptoms of allergic rhinitis (AR) with or without asthma. Disease severity was classified following international guidelines. Skin prick tests were performed using standardized extracts, and specific IgE levels through the multiplex assay Allergy Explorer 2 (ALEX2). 

Overall, most of the children (75.4%) were polysensitized with grass pollen as the main sensitizer (68.1%) followed by house dust mite (63.8%), tree pollen (44.9%), epithelia (30.4%) and weed pollen in 29% of cases. The most commonly recognized allergen components were Phl p 1 (60.9%), Lol p 1 (57.4%) for grass, Der f 2 (50%), Der p 2 (47.1%) for HDM, Ole e 1 (19%) for tree pollen, Pla a 3 and Art v 3 (5.8% each) for weed pollen and Fel d 1 (20.6%) for epithelia. Mean levels of IgE to Der p 10, Cyn d 1, Phl p 1, Lol p 1, Fag s 1 are significantly higher in moderate/severe allergic rhinitis compared to mild rhinitis (Figure 1 A). Mean IgE levels to Phl p1, Der f 1 and Act d 1 were significanlty higher in children 2-10 years old. (Figure 1 B) Oral allergy syndrome was reported in 15.9% of the patients. 

Most of the children in our study population were polysensitized. Grass pollen was the mos frequent sensitizer. Mean IgE levels to specific components were related with disease severity and age.