Abstract
The positive rates of 16 specific IgE antibodies were examined using the CAP-RAST system in the sera from 10 patients with pharyngolaryngeal allergy (PLA), 22 patients with nasal allergy (NA), and 12 patients with non-allergic cough and/or pharyngeal discomfort (NCP). The combined positive rates of all allergens measured were 60.0% in PLA, 81.8% in NA, and 25.0% in NCP. The positive rates of house dust and mite were higher in NA than in PLA. The positive rates of cockroach, moth, candida, orchard grass, and ragweed were higher in PLA than in NA. A good correlation was found between the CAP-RAST classes of house dust allergen and those of cockroach allergen in PLA, but was not found in NA. There were no patients with a positive IgE result specific to formaldehyde in either PLA or NA. In conclusion, the results indicate the difference of sensitization between in PLA and in NA, and the importance of cockroach allergen in PLA. Gaseous formaldehide is not very important as an allergen in both PLA and NA.
