We read with great interest the GALEN-ARIA position statement regarding skin prick test to aeroallergens (1). Although we appreciate the effort in terms of its contribution to the practice, there are certain points that we believe need to be at least re-evaluated. Our concerns are mainly based on the observations we made in the largest paediatric allergy referral centre of our country (Turkey) ...

A number of scientific reports have been published on patch tests with protein allergens performed on patients with atopic eczema (AE). Evaluation of eczematous skin lesions with an atopy patch test (APT) can be used as a diagnostic tool in characterizing patients with aeroallergen- and food-triggered AE. Indications for testing with APT, choice of allergens (aeroallergens and foods), test mate...

Lipid mediators play an important role in modulating inflammatory responses. Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a potent proinflammatory phospholipid with eosinophil chemotactic activity in vitro and in vivo. We show in this study that mice deficient in PAF receptor exhibited significantly reduced airway hyperresponsiveness to muscarinic cholinergic stimulation in an asthma model. However, PAF...

allergic rhinitis is an extremely common disease worldwide. aeroallergens are very often involved in allergic rhinitis and their prevalence may vary in differ¬ent regions. the causative allergens of allergic rhinitis in our area are unknown. the purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of skin reactivity to different aeroallergens in patients with allergic rhinitis in the city of s...

Animal epithelia and saliva contain a substantial amount of aeroallergen material, causing both acute onset of symptoms related to hypersensitivity, and chronic inflammation of the airways leading to allergic rhinitis or asthma. Although allergy to horses is generally considered to be more prevalent in rural areas, sensitization to horse allergens is more frequent than might be expected in urba...