Abstract:Objective To investigate the distribution of allergen spectrum in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) in Xiangyang, Hubei Province, so as to provide a basis for AR prevention and treatment in Xiangyang and a useful supplement for the allergen spectrum of AR in our country.Methods A total of 1,000 suspected AR patients who visited our clinic between Jan 2017 and Jan 2020 were selected as the research objects. The serum total immunoglobulin E (tIgE) and specific IgE (sIgE) antibodies were determined by Western blot quantitative detection method to determine the allergens. The distribution of positive allergens was analyzed, and the relationship between patients’ age and the positive detection rate of allergens was studied.Results Among the 1,000 patients, 907 cases were positive for serum sIgE test, and 936 for tIgE test. Analysis of serum sIgE test results revealed that 705 (77.73%) were positive to inhaled allergens, including dermatophagoides farinae combined with dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (60.86%), mold combination (9.26%), cat and dog hair combination (7.06%). The serum sIgE test also found that 356 patients were positive to ingested allergens (39.25%), including milk (24.48%), beef and mutton combination (17.20%), egg white (13.12%). The case number with simultaneous positive tIgE and sIgE was 881 (97.13%). The patients with positive sIgE included 422 (46.53%) in the group of 3~14 years old (children group), 249 (27.45%) in the group of 15~35 (youth group), and 236 (26.02%) in the group of 36~65 (middle and old aged group). The differences of positive sIgE rate between the children group and the youth group as well as the middle and old aged group were both statistically insignificant (P<0.05).Conclusions Children and adolescents are the most susceptible population of AR. The allergen spectrum of AR in Xiangyang area has regional characteristics. There is a strong consistency between serum tIgE and sIgE. Accordingly, children are the key population for AR prevention and treatment. Although mites are the most predominant allergens of AR, the prevention and treatment of other inhaled allergens should be taken into consideration in Xiangyang.