Specific IgE antibodies to aeroallergens and food among Israelis

There are no data about specific IgE antibodies to food and aeroallergens in the Israeli population. We sought to determine the relationship between selected demographic parameters and rate of sensitivity to various allergens throughout all ages. Analysis was carried out on 776 positive specific IgE from 655 patients (347 to food, 429 to aeroallergens, and 121 to both). The studied parameters were age and gender. Age-related analysis showed the highest positivity to food (eggs, legumes, and milk) and the lowest to pollens during infancy. High sensitivity to house mites prevailed at all ages. Sensitivity to pollens and epidermals increased with age while sensitivity to eggs, legumes, and milk decreased. Above the age of 30 years, the rate of sensitivity to all tested aeroallergens and food was similar and close to the average value. Our data showed a significant cross-sensitivity between various foods and aeroallergens and also confirmed cross-sensitivity results reported earlier. (1) Age is a dominant factor affecting type I hypersensitivity. House mite is the most common allergen throughout life. (2) The age distribution and nature of sensitivity to allergens in Israel has some similarities to Spain but differ from other countries. (3) Cross-sensitivity between food and aeroallergens was found.