Allergic Disorders of Respiratory System and Skin

Principal Investigator: Božica Kanceljak Macan
(The Ministry of Science, Education and Sports of the Republic of Croatia (2002-2006))

Principal Investigator: Božica Kanceljak Macan
Since January 1 2005, Principal Investigator Davor Plavec; since November 1 2005, Principal Investigator Jelena Macan

SUMMARY
The pathophysiological mechanism involved in  allergic diseases (ADs) is still not clear. It is not clear if ADs are local or systemic disorders (Bousquet J. ACI International 2000;12:141.2). Sensitization isn’t always followed by clinical symptoms (Wahn U. Allergy 2000;55:591-9).

Increased prevalence of respiratory ADs , especially asthma, is related to antigens of biologic origin, i.e. from bacteria, moulds, mites, animals, insects (Lacey J. Clinical Application of Aerobyology. Braine-l Alleud, Belgium: The UCB Institute of Allergy 1996;45-55). The relationship between biological activity, way of exposure and the development of sensitization is not clear.

Aim is to examine:

1. The composition and concentration of biological allergens  (mites, cat, dog, cockroach) and endotoxin in indoors dust  from urban and rural areas of the Croatian continental and Mediterranean regions,

2. Prevalence of the sensitization markers by skin testing, measuring IgE and IgG, nasal and bronchial reactivity, and analysis of induced sputum in general population and patients with asthma and rhinitis. The main hypothesis is that the level of exposure  and different environmental conditions are related to the  prevalence of  the sensitization markers and specific symptoms.

The importance of this investigation is in studying the relationship between level of allergens and endotoxin  in the dust from homes, public and occupational indoor environments with modern characteristics, and life habits. It is also important to establish risk concentrations of the  allergens and endotoxin for the occurrence of sensitization markers and relevant clinical symptoms  in  adult population of Croatia and to suggest effective preventive measures.