The Relationship between the Causative Allergens of Allergic Diseases and Environments in Korea Over a 8-Year-Period: Based on Skin Prick Test from 2006 to 2015

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The present study evaluated the results of skin prick test using 55 allergens at 20 centers in the Republic of Korea in 2006, 2010, and 2014–2015. The aim was to assess changes in the positive rate of allergens according to temporal, regional, and environmental factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 20 hospitals were selected based on the population distribution in the Republic of Korea. A skin prick test panel comprising 55 aeroallergens was distributed to 18 hospitals for this prospective study. The 2006 and 2010 skin prick test results were collected and analyzed retrospectively from 20 hospitals, while the 2014/2015 skin prick test results (from June 2014 to May 2015) were collected prospectively from 18 hospitals. RESULTS: A total of 14,897 SPT test results were analyzed: 4,319 in 2006, 7,431 in 2010, and 1,852 in 2014/2015. The overall rate of skin prick test positivity to more than two allergens was significantly higher in males than females. The positive rates of alder pollens and birch, oak and ragweed pollen positivity were increased in older patients. Several positive rates were increased according to the temperature in spring. The positive rates for beech pollen, birch pollen, hazel pollen, oak pollen, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, mugwort, cat, Acarus siro, Lepidoglyphus destructor and Tyrophagus putrescentiae were significantly increased, while those of Cult rye pollen and dandelion were significantly decreased over the three test periods. The overall positive rate for allergens in Jeju province varied significantly from Seoul and other cities. CONCLUSION: Change in the positive rate of multiple aeroallergens was evaluated in the Republic of Korea over time. Our findings can be used to recommend aeroallergens suitable for inclusion in skin prick test panels in the Republic of Korea and will facilitate further investigation of changes in the patterns of allergic diseases.

Decreased Serum Epinephrine in Children With Positive Skin Prick Test

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between catecholamine levels and skin prick test results among children. METHODS: Two hundred eight first grade children from one elementary school were invited to participate in this study. Skin prick test (SPT) for six allergens (2 house dust mites, cat, dog, mugwort, and pollen mixture) was performed, and patient demographic information was recorded. The parents were surveyed using questionnaires about rhinitis-related symptoms. Finally, venous blood sampling was done to measure catecholamine levels (epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine) by high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Out of 208 children, 174 (106 boys and 68 girls) enrolled in this study. Ninety-six of the children (55%) had negative SPT (nonsensitization group), while 78 (45%) had a positive SPT to at least one of six allergens (sensitization group). The diagnosis of chronic rhinitis was more prevalent in the sensitization group (35.9%) than nonsensitization group (26.0%), however the finding was not significant (P=0.186). Epinephrine levels were decreased between the sensitization group compared to the nonsensitization group (P=0.004). There was no difference in norepinephrine and dopamine levels (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Epinephrine levels are lower in children with positive SPT compared to controls, however, the level of the catecholamine was not associated with the presence or absence of rhinitis symptoms.

Nutritional status and plasma amino acid profile in maintenance hemodialysis patients / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Many studies document the presence of abnormalities in amino acids metabolism in chronic uremia. These abnormalities have been attributed to low protein intake, deficiency of excretory and metabolic functions of the diseased kidneys, toxic effects of uremia on the intermediary metabolism of amino acids and in dialysis patients, loss of protein and amino acids by the dialytic procedure. METHODS: This study was designed to compare anthropometric measurement, biochemical characteristics and plasma amino acid concentration between patients with end stage renal disease on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) and normal controls. A cross sectional study of overnight fasting plasma amino acids and plasma albumin, prealbumin, triglyceride (TG), cholesterol, transferrin concentration were performed on 20 hemodialysis patients and 20 normal controls, matched by age and sex. RESULTS: The concentrations of prealbumin (25.60+/-7.05 mg/dL vs 35.08+/-8.11 mg/dL, p<0.005), transferrin (158.30+/-39.66 mg/dL vs 275.50+/-55.46 mg/dL, p<0.001) were found to be lower in HD patients. No differences in albumin, cholesterol and TG were observed between the two groups. Several amino acids (taurine, cystine, phosphoserine) were found to be higher in the HD patients, while the concentrations of other five amino acids (serine, alanine, valine, leucine, tyrosine) were lowered in HD patients. No differences in nine amino acids (asparagine, glutamine, proline, glycine, methionine, isoleucine, lysine, histidine, arginine) were observed between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that chronic renal failure patients have malnutrition and amino acids abnormalities. To correct the amino acids abnormalities and improve nitrogen utilization in hemodialysis patients, correction of acidosis and supplementation of the diet with serine should be considered.