Sensitization profile to prick tests among symptomatic patients in private medical center in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)

Abstract

While the prevalence of allergies for a long time seems to be stabilizing in industrialized countries, it is
increasing in developing countries. Few studies on sensitizing allergens were published in Burkina Faso,
the objective of our study was to describe the sensitizing profile of symptomatic patients who had performed
a prick test. We carried out a retrospective study in a private health facility in Ouagadougou from March
2015 to April 2016. The study population was patients with allergic manifestations in whom a prick test was
performed. Fourteen allergens were tested. We collected 93 patients, among them 60.22% (56) were male
and 39.78% (37) were female. The median age was 19 +/- 18. Children accounted for 52.22% (49). Respiratory
manifestations accounted for 62.37%, cutaneous 20.43%, ophthalmologic 8.60%. The sensitization rate was
95.69% (89/93). The main pneumallergens found were Dermatophagoides farinae 47,20% (42),
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus 42,70% (38), the dog dander 20,20% (18) and those of cat 11,20% (10).
The groundnut 24.70% (22), and the egg 23.60% (21) were the main trophallergenes. Respiratory manifestations
were positively correlated with sensitization to mites, those with cutaneous sensitization to
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and egg. In conclusion, mites, peanuts and eggs are the most frequently
encountered allergens in patients with allergic allergy symptoms, half of which were children.