https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0141-8914
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Abstract
Background
Allergy can start at early ages, with genetic and environmental factors contributing to its development.
Aim
The study aimed to describe the pattern of sensitisation and allergy in children and adolescents of Spanish versus Moroccan ancestry but born in the same rural area of Spain.
Methods
Participants were children and adolescents (3–19 years) of Spanish or Moroccan descent, born in Blanca, Murcia (Spain). A detailed questionnaire was completed, and skin prick tests were performed to assess reactions to the most prevalent pollen allergens (O. europaea, P. pratense, S. kali, C. arizonica, P. acerifolia, A. vulgaris and P. judaica) plus molecular components Ole e 1 and Ole e 7. The association with ancestry was verified by studying participants’ parents.
Results
The study included 693 participants: 48% were aged 3–9 years and 52%, 10–19 years; 80% were of Spanish descent and 20% of Moroccan descent. Sensitisation to Olea europaea, Phleum pratense, Salsola kali and Cupressus arizonica were slightly higher in the Spanish group. The only significant differences were observed in sensitisation to Ole e 1 (p=0.02). Rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and rhinitis plus asthma were significantly higher in the Spanish group (p=0.03, p=0.02, p=0.007, respectively). The sensitisation pattern differed between Spanish and Moroccan parents, and between Moroccan parents and their children, but not between Spanish parents and their children.
Conclusion
Both environment and ancestry may influence sensitisation and symptoms. Although the environment seems to have a stronger influence, other factors may contribute to the differences in prevalence and in the clinical entities in people of Spanish versus Moroccan descent.
Ethical Approval
The study was approved by our Institutional Ethics Committee of Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón (approval number: 41/18) and Research Ethics Committee of the Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor and Hospital Virgen de la Torre (approval number: 100/20).
Informed Consent
Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants (or their parents or guardians) included in the study, in compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki.
Acknowledgments
We thank Mr Carlos Goetz (Pertica®, Madrid, Spain) for the statistical analysis and Meggan Harris for language editing. We also thank Universidad Complutense de Madrid (Madrid, Spain) for the academic support.
Author Contributions
All authors have made substantial contributions to ALL of the following: made a significant contribution to the work reported in conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis or interpretation; have drafted or written, or substantially revised or critically reviewed the article; have agreed on the journal to which the article will be submitted; reviewed and agreed on all versions of the article before submission, during revision, the final version accepted for publication, and any significant changes introduced at the proofing stage; agree to take responsibility and be accountable for the contents of the article. Maria Luisa Somoza and Natalia Pérez-Sánchez contributed equally to this work as first authors. José Antonio Cornejo-García, Gabriela Canto and Miguel Blanca contributed equally to this work as last authors.
Disclosure
EAFG and EFC are employees of Inmunotek laboratories. The remaining authors declare that they do not have any conflicts of interest.