Immunoglobulin E (IgE) Assay for the Diagnosis and Prevention of Pollinosis in the District of Abidjan

Abstract

Allergology in Africa is booming. In addition to clinical studies, many studies in biology focus on molecular aspects. This work aims to list the species of the Ivorian flora incriminated in pollinosis and to indicate the pollens that may have molecular similarities with those from Europe. Biological tests using food and mixed allergens were used to search for IgE in 20 patients (14 men and 6 women). The people selected were those who had lived for more than a year close to the target plants and had given their consent for the study. A grid representing cross-allergies ''Food-Pollens'' was used to search for any possible reactions. The plant species of Cote d'Ivoire suspected to be the causes of allergies were Cocos nucifera (Arecaceae), Elaeis guineensis (Arecaceae) and Petersianthus macrocarpus (Lecythidaceae). The same patient may have one or more symptoms. Most of the patients showed ENT (80%), skin (40%), lung (35%), and eye (30%) symptoms. Allergic rhinitis was representative of ENT signs, but allergic asthma has reached 10% of people suffering from lung diseases. During the flowering of Petersianthus macrocarpus, 87% of the respondents present ENT and respiratory symptoms. Biological analyses revealed 70% of patients were sensitized to trophallergens and 60% to pneumallergens. The two patients with no clinical signs were the only negative patients in the biological tests. The most common cross-reactions were between the pollens of Secale cereal ''Rye'' and the fruits of Corylus avellana ''Hazelnut''. The study shows that, the European Panels are useful to start allergological investigations but insufficient to develop a precise diagnosis in Cote d'Ivoire. Therefore, a specific panel composed of Ivorian pollens is being established.