Allergic manifestation in Nigerian asthmatics.

Intracutaneous and inhalative provocation tests performed on 185 asthmatic Nigerian patients and 50 control patients using indigenous antigen extracts as well as imported ones showed that moulds, house dust and D. farinae are the most common allergens responsible for the patients' asthmatic symptoms. Food allergy, though present, does not play a significant role among the patients. Pollinosis is not a common symptom among the patients although the Nigerian pollens are believed to possess antigenic properties. Environmental factors were thought to be responsible for the scarcity of pollen allergy in Nigeria. The importance of making use of indigenous antigen for allergy tests in stressed as this would reveal the true allergic state of the people.