Regional patterns of molecular sensitization to dust mites and pollens in a Portuguese pediatric population: a multicentric study
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Molecular tools enable detailed analysis of molecular allergens. Understanding their regional variability, considering environmental factors, improves diagnostic accuracy and allows individualized approaches in pediatric allergy management. This multicenter retrospective study analyzed the results of ImmunoCAP ISAC® test (n = 1010) performed in pediatric patients from 14 Portuguese hospitals. Sensitization to dust mite (DM) molecular allergens was found in 64% of patients, mainly to major allergens Der p 1, Der p 2, and Der p 23. There were 96 patients (10%) monosensitized to one DM molecular allergen with almost half of them being sensitized to Der p 23 (48%), followed by Der p 1 (26%). Urbanization and coastal residence were associated with a higher risk of DM sensitization, particularly to Dermatophagoides species. Pollen sensitization affected 57% of patients, with grass pollens—mainly Phl p 1 and Cyn d 1—being the most prevalent pollens. Interior regions, characterized by greater vegetation, showed a significantly higher prevalence of pollen sensitization. Regional trends that reflected the native flora were noted, such as elevated sensitivity to olive pollen allergen Ole e 1 in Trás-os-Montes region and Arizona cypress pollen allergen Cup a 1 in Coimbra region. Sensitization to birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 and proteins of the pathogenesis-related class 10 plant protein family (PR-10) was associated with food allergy. The findings of this research emphasized the need for incorporating these regional variations into clinical practice and draw attention to notable regional variations in allergy sensitivity patterns among Portuguese children.
Source: Allergologia et Immunopathologia
Authors: João Nogueira Oliveira, Mafalda Moreira, Manuel Lima Ferreira, Sandra Teixeira, Marta Santalha, Teresa São Simão, Armandina Silva, Filipa Almeida, Hernani Brito, Fernanda Carvalho, Estefânia Maia, Carla Chaves Loureiro, Catarina Leuzinguer, Sara Machado, Cláudia Pedrosa, Patricia Silva Veríssimo, Sofia Guedes, Carla Rosa, Georgeta Oliveira, Ana Paula Aguiar, Catarina Freitas, Lara Torres, Maria Alexandra Rodrigues, Pedro Guerra, Helena Ramalho, Beatriz Sousa, Mariana Branco, Ana Sofia Nunes, Mariana Oliveira Pereira, Margarida Reis Morais, José Fraga, Inês Falcão, Maria José Dinis, Conceição Silva, Raquel Santos, Rita Silva Pereira, Márcia Quaresma, Diana Pinto, Ana Rita Araújo
Institutions: Unidade Local de Saúde de Santo António EPE, Unidade Local de Saúde do Tâmega e Sousa, Unidade Local de Saúde do Alto Ave, Unidade Local de Saúde do Médio Ave, Unidade Local de Saúde de Coimbra, Unidade Local de Saúde Gaia/Espinho, Unidade Local de Saúde da Região de Leiria, Unidade Local de Saúde de Matosinhos, Unidade Local de Saúde da Guarda EPE, Unidade Local de Saúde do Alto Minho, Unidade Local de Saúde de Braga, Unidade Local de Saúde da Póvoa de Varzim/Vila do Conde, Unidade Local de Saúde de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro
Language: English
Subfield: Immunology and Allergy
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7133200750