Reatividade cutânea a alérgenos alimentares em habitantes da cidade de São Paulo: uma possível relação com animais domésticos

Introduction: Allergic hypersensitivity reaction to food proteins (food allergies) is a major public health problem. This type of reaction can affect the quality of life and its treatment entails high costs. Aim: In this study, we aimed to identify the pattern of skin allergic reactivity of volunteers to inform them about their potential for the development of food allergies and to identify factors that may be related to this type of allergy. Methods: With this purpose, 35 volunteers residing in the city of São Paulo were submitted to the prick-test and a socio-demographic interview. Individual skin reactivity was tested against allergens with origin in milk, eggs, Brazil nuts, peanuts, shrimp, and pork. Results: It was possible to verify that the food allergen that presented the highest frequency of reactivity was the shrimp followed by pork, milk, egg, Brazil nuts, and peanuts. In addition, we found that volunteers are mainly reactive to only one allergen and are not aware of their potential for developing food allergies. Finally, we observed that the number of pets may be related to the individual allergic potential. Conclusions: In conclusion, it was possible to update the description of the food allergic reactivity profile in individuals living in the city of São Paulo and to suggest an unprecedented relationship with the number of pets.Fundamentos: As reações alérgicas contra proteínas alimentares constituem um problema de saúde pública que tem se agravado em todo o mundo. Este tipo de reação afeta a qualidade de vida e seu tratamento implica em altos custos. Objetivos: Neste trabalho, objetivamos identificar o padrão de reatividade alérgica cutânea de indivíduos voluntários residentes na cidade de São Paulo e identificar fatores sociodemográficos que possam ter relação com este tipo de alergia. Metodologia: 35 voluntários foram submetidos ao teste cutâneo de puntura (TCP) e a um questionário sócio demográfico. Foi testada a reatividade cutânea contra alérgenos do leite, ovos, castanha, amendoim, camarão e carne suína. Principais resultados: Foi possível constatar que o alérgeno que apresentou maior frequência de reatividade foi o camarão seguido por carne suína, leite, ovo, castanha do Pará e amendoim.  Além disso, constatamos que geralmente os voluntários apresentam reatividade a apenas um alérgeno e que não tem conhecimento sobre seu potencial para desenvolver alergias alimentares. Por fim, ainda observamos que a quantidade de animais domésticos pode estar relacionada ao potencial alérgico individual. Conclusões: Em conclusão, foi possível atualizar a descrição do perfil de reatividade alérgica alimentar em indivíduos residentes na cidade de São Paulo e sugerir uma inédita relação com a quantidade de animais domésticos

Suitable Interpretation of Skin Prick Test and Biomedical Guidance Leads to a Better Clinical State in Atopic Individuals with High Indoor Permanence: Possible Therapeutic Implications

Indoor conditions contribute to allergen sensitization and multiple allergens reactivity, mainly for inhaled allergens. This study analyzes if Skin Prick Test (SPT) combined with efficient individual biomedical guidance about allergy development’s social, biological, and environmental aspects can yield a better clinical state with therapeutic implications for atopic individuals with high indoor permanence. We recruited atopic and non-atopic volunteers (clinically and in vitro diagnosed) with indoor permanence above 15 h per day and without previous SPT evaluation. The SPT and serum anti-allergen IgE analyses were performed individually in person, demonstrated, and discussed by the practitioners. Six months after, SPT and specific IgE titers determination were repeated, and a questionnaire to evaluate the effectiveness of the practitioner’s orientation was performed. After six months, 14% of atopic volunteers reported changes in their social habits, 30% said that they avoid the development of allergies clinical symptoms, and 68% reported a substantial improvement in their health after being informed mentored about their allergen reactivity. The control non-atopic group, as expected, reported no changes in social habits, the maintenance of total avoidance of allergic symptoms, and almost no improvement of their health. Reduced SPT and serum allergen-specific IgE titers were detected in the atopic individuals corroborating with questionnaire results. Our results indicated that SPT, followed by an individual and efficient discussion about the main biomedical aspects of allergy development, could exert a pronounced therapeutic role in allergy development by high indoor permanence individuals