Specific IgE antibodies to aeroallergens and food among Israelis

Background: There are no data about specific IgE antibodies to food and aer oallergens in the Israeli population. Objective: We sought to determine the relationship between selected demogra phic parameters and rate of sensitivity to various allergens throughout all ages. Methods: Analysis was carried out on 776 positive specific IgE from 655 pat ients (347 to food, 429 to aeroallergens, and 121 to both). The studied par ameters were age and gender. Results: Age-related analysis showed the highest positivity to food (eggs, legumes, and milk) and the lowest to pollens during infancy. High sensitivi ty to house mites prevailed at all ages. Sensitivity to pollens and epiderm als increased with age while sensitivity to eggs, legumes, and milk decreas ed. Above the age of 30 years, the rate of sensitivity to all tested aeroal lergens and food was similar and close to the average value. Our data showe d a significant cross-sensitivity between various foods and aeroallergens a nd also confirmed cross-sensitivity results reported earlier. Conclusions: (1) Age is a dominant factor affecting type I hypersensitivity . House mite is the most common allergen throughout life. (2) The age distr ibution and nature of sensitivity to allergens in Israel has some similarit ies to Spain but differ from other countries. (3) Cross-sensitivity between food and aeroallergens was found.