PREVALENCE OF POSITIVE SKIN-TESTS TO COCK ROACH IN THE MIDI-PYRENEES REGION - CORRELATION WITH DOMESTIC ENVIRONMENT

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of cutaneous sens itisation to cockroach in patients presenting with respiratory symptom atology of an apparently allergic origin in the Midi-Pyrenees region a nd to establish possible correlations with housing conditions. This st udy using a multicentre approach enrolled 191 patients living in rural or urban locations. A cockroach extract prick-test was routinely incl uded in the battery of pneumallergens. Domestic environment was assess ed using a standardized questionnaire filled out by the investigator b efore skin tests were performed. Fifty three patients (28%) had a posi tive cockroach skin test. This sensitization was the only positive res ult in 13 cases (7%). In all other cases, there was associated sensiti vity to other pneumallergens, most often including acaris. The inciden ce of cockroach sensitisation was significantly greater (p<0.05) in pa tients who admitted having cockroaches in their home than in those who had never seen them. Dampness of housing conditions also significantl y (p<0.02) influenced positive skin test rates. In contrast, no eviden ce was found of any significant link between positive skin tests and u rban or rural, collective or individual housing conditions. These find ings confirm the important role played by cockroaches as allergens in the home. Their involvement in the etiology of respiratory symptomatol ogy should thus be evaluated routinely, including in patients free of the classical risk factors for exposure to these allergens (collective housing in an urban location).