International Journal of Clinical Science and Medical Research

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the allergen sensitisation profile of patients attending allergy consultations in Conakry.

Patients/Methods : This was a prospective cross-sectional study lasting seven months, from 1 December 2023 to 30 June 2024. The study included patients with asthma and/or rhinitis outside of flare-ups who had stopped taking antihistamines (7 days) and corticosteroids (5-7 days) before allergen exposure.

Results : The most represented age group was 11-20 years old, accounting for 45% of the study population, with a mean age of 26 years (range: 2-68 years). The prevalence of sensitisation was 96.25%, with sensitisation dominated by house dust mites (Dp= 53.09%; Df= 49.38% and Bt= 53.16%), followed by mould (Alternaria alternata=25%). In terms of diagnosis, allergic rhinitis (36.80%) was the most common in , followed by allergic asthma (29.63%). We also noted an association between asthma and allergic rhinitis in 18.51% of cases and asthma + allergic conjunctivitis in 7.41% of cases. The majority of our patients were sensitised to at least one allergen (64.19%) compared to 35.81% to at least two allergens (22.23% and 13.58%).

Conclusion: The majority of our patients were sensitised to at least one allergen, and the prevalence of sensitisation was higher in young people and was dominated by dust mites and mould. 

sensitisation, prick test, pneumallergen and Conakry

1. E.W.P YONE 1 , A.D. BALKISSOU 1 , A. DJENABOU 1 , S.L. TAGNY-TCHUENTE 2 , C. KUABAN 3  Sensitisation to pneumallergens in semi-urban and rural areas of Cameroon. Revue française allergologie Vol 58 Issue 3 April 2018, Page 253.
2. M. Migueres 1 , J. Dakhil 2 , R. Delageneste 3 , C. Schwartz 2 , C. Pech-Ormières 2 , I. Petit Lévy 4 , M.C. Pujazon 2 , H. Leneveu 5 , S. Carme 6 , G. Demonet (7)  ,D. Leclercq (1)  ,A. Didier (2)  .Skin sensitisation profiles to pneumallergens in patients consulting for respiratory allergies: Prospective survey of 505 patients conducted by the AART group (Association of Allergists in the Toulouse Region). Respiratory Diseases Review Volume 26, Issue 5, May 2009, Pages 514-520.
3. M. RAFFARD Pneumallergens: inhaled allergens. JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL VENTILATION AND PULMONOLOGYã  2013 JFVP. www.jfvpulm.com. Print: ISSN 2264-7899. Online: ISSN 2264-0754
4. V. PIETTE, H. DHIVERT-DONNADIEU, P. DEMOLY. Skin tests for pneumallergens: which techniques, which extracts, which battery? Rev Mal Respir, 2002, 19, 529-531. © SPLF, Paris, 2002
5. MA. GAGARA ISSOUFOU1 , MM. ASSAO NEINO1 , AS. ADAMBOUNOU4 , AR. OUÉDRAOGO3 , M. BOUZOU MAMANE1 , I. ATTAHIROU1 , T. HAMIDOU1 , D. MAIZOUMBOU(1,2) Profile of awareness of pneumallergens among asthmatic patients in Niamey. JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL VENTILATION AND PULMONOLOGY  2016 JFVP. ISSN 2264-7899. Online: ISSN 2264-0754
6. P.A. APOIL, T. YACOUBA. Specific aspects of allergies in Sahelian Africa. Revue Française d'Allergologie Volume 58, Issue 1, February 2018, Pages 23-28
7. N. PHAM-THI A, P. BOUSIQUIER B, A. CHARTIER. Poly-sensitisation to pneumallergens: study of clinical profiles and immunotherapy prescription patterns. Which immunotherapy for poly-sensitised patients? Results of a national survey of practices among allergists. Revue Française d'Allergologie. 52 (2012) 3-10.