The association between atopy and asthma in a semirural area of Tanzania (East Africa)

Background: Atopy is consistently associated with asthma, except in a study in Africa. We assessed the association between atopy and asthma in women f rom a semirural area of Tanzania (East Africa). Methods: All pregnant women delivering at the district hospital during a I- year period were recruited (n = 658, 60.6% of those selected). Asthma was i nvestigated by a standard questionnaire and atopy by specific IgE (immunogl obulin E) antibodies to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p 1) and cockro ach. Results: The prevalence of wheezing chest was 10.7%; of asthma, 3.5%. Level s of specific IEE of >0.35 kU/l (73%) and high levels of total IgE (62% hig her than 1000 kU/l) were highly prevalent. Specific IEE antibody levels in sera were not associated with asthma (3.8% of women with negative specific IgE to any antigen had asthma in comparison to 4.0% of women with positive specific IgE; odds ratio [OR] = 1.06, 0.35-3.22). Total IgE was not differe nt between women with asthma and women without asthma (P=0.36). Conclusions: In tropical regions, the association between allergy and asthm a is complex, and specific IgE reactivity to environmental allergens may no t be related to asthma.