[Sensitization to aeroallergens in the population of a third-level hospital in the north of Mexico City].

OBJECTIVE

To determine the frequency of sensitization to aeroallergens in skin prick tests and its association with the geographic distribution, time of year, age, and sex of patients with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis.

METHODS

This was an observational, descriptive, and retrospective study conducted in patients older than 2 years with a diagnosis of asthma and/or allergic rhinitis. The results of skin prick tests collected between January and December 2023 at the Allergy Service of the Juárez Hospital in Mexico City were analyzed. A total of 23 allergens were evaluated. The results were categorized by age, sex, and allergen type using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

734 tests were analyzed, of which 587 (79.9%) were positive. The positivity rate was highest in children (62.5%), followed by adults (22%) and older adults (1.4%). 52.5% of the cases were in women. The most frequently identified aeroallergens were tree pollen (37.6%), dust mites (20.4%), grasses (12.9%), and animal dander (12.5%). The most prevalent tree pollens were Fraxinus americanus (6.7%) and Prosopis sp. (4.7%), while the most common dust mites were Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (11.1%) and D. farinae (9.3%). A high rate of polysensitization was observed (85.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

Sensitization to aeroallergens was more frequent in children and women. The most common allergens identified were tree pollens, particularly *Fusarium americanus*, and house dust mites, especially *Dirofilaria pteronyssinus*. These findings underscore the need for targeted preventive and therapeutic strategies that consider environmental factors such as climate change and the geographic distribution of allergens.