Original article
A comparison of the prevalence of sensitization to Aspergillus antigens among asthmatics in Cleveland and London,☆☆

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Abstract

A survey of the frequency of sensitization to Aspergillus antigens was conducted in a group of asthmatics in Cleveland and compared with a group of asthmatics in London, using common antigens for testing purposes. The two groups were comparable except for earlier onset, longer duration of asthma, and a larger number of males in the London group. Twenty-eight per cent of the asthmatics from Cleveland and 23% from London had immediate skin reactivity to Aspergillus. Seven and one-half percent from the Cleveland group and 10.5% of the London group had Aspergillus precipitins in the serum. Aspergillus skin test reactivity was related to the severity of airways obstruction (p < 0.01) but was not influenced by other factors. We conclude that sensitization to Aspergillus antigens occur with equal frequency in both the United States and the United Kingdom.

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Supported in part by Veterans Administration Research Funds.

☆☆

Presented, in part, at the Annual Scientific Session of the American Thoracic Society, New Orleans, La., May, 1976.

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