Shafiq Anwer, Hayat M Awan, Muhammad Mohsin, Liaqat Ali Dogar, Liaqat Javaid.
Skin allergic testing in pulmonary mycotic infection.
Pak J Med Res Jan ;43(4):172-6.

In Pakistan until now the prevalence of fungal infections has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of fungi infection by skin allergic testing. In this study all patients were screened with skin prick test using a panel of fungal antigen. Those with positive skin reactions and other investigations were included. Out of 50 patients, 40 showed +ve reaction; 32 were males and 8 females. This study was conducted at Nishtar Medical College and hospital Multan over a period of two years on pulmonary mycotic infection. In the admitted patients in the Chest ward suffering from various respiratory diseases, different laboratory investigations, radiological investigations and skin allergic testing were performed and 50 patients with repeated sputum positive for fungus were detected. The prevalence was 8.2%. The maximum incidence was in the age group of 21-30 years. From the analysis of initial signs and symptoms and their modifications and investigations including skin prick testing, helped in the diagnosis. Skin Prick test is used as a marker of allergy and lot of allergens are used. On skin prick test 30 patients showed reaction in candida series , 9 aspergillus fumigatus and one niger. Patients having candida albicans infection showed 30 (60%) positive results. In Aspergillus infection 10 (20%) had positive results. Out of 35 patients having candida albicans 17 are living while 18 had died due to associated diseases. Out of 11 cases of aspergillus 9 are living and 2 had died. Out of 4 cases of mucormycosis 2 are living, one died and one case was not traceable. Mean survival of candida, aspergillus and mucor was 16+/- 13.7, 25.2 +/- 10.3 and 21+/- 12.7 months respectively.

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