Exposure and allergic sensitization to cockroach allergen in East Germany

Background Some studies suggest that the prevalence of sensitization to coc kroach allergens may be higher in the United States than in Europe, but the re are no comparable data from population-based studies. Objectives To determine the prevalence of allergic sensitization to German cockroach (GCR) in German schoolchildren and to assess its clinical relevan ce; and to determine the exposure to the major GCR allergen Bla g 2 in non- selected homes and nurseries. Methods The prevalence of allergic sensitization to GCR and other allergens was determined by measurement of specific IgE and skin-prick tests in a cr oss-sectional study of 2993 children aged 5-11 years in Dresden, Germany. T he prevalence of atopic disease was determined by questionnaire, and pulmon ary function and bronchial hyperresponsiveness to hypertonic saline were me asured. Bla g 2 exposure was determined on floors of 187 kitchens and 47 nu rseries by a commercial sandwich ELISA. Results One hundred and twenty-seven (4.2%) of the children had specific Ig E (> 0.7 kU/L) against GCR. Among children with current wheeze, 8.4% were G CR-sensitized. Compared to data from the United States, the prevalence of s ensitization to cockroach was similar in children without asthma (3.9%), bu t less frequent in asthmatic children from Dresden (6.1%). After adjustment for positive reactions to other allergens (SX1 test) no significant impact of GCR sensitization on wheeze or other symptoms and diagnoses was found. Bla g 2 was detected in 29% of the kitchens and 43% of the nurseries. None of these sites had exposure levels above the proposed threshold for causing disease of 80 ng/g dust. Conclusion The data suggest that allergic sensitization to GCR is less freq uent in asthmatics from Dresden, Gemany than in US cities. The data indicat e that GCR sensitization is not an independent risk factor for asthma and o ther atopic diseases in 5-11-year-olds from this city.