Background: Because of rising numbers of atopy and allergy in the younger population the problem occurs partly with the high level of IgE antibodies and eosinophilia in differential diagnostics of parasitic diseases after arrival from exotic countries (atopy can influence the level of IgE antibodies and eosinophilia also in non-allergic individuals) and partly with the clinical signs of both diagnoses. Objective: Find out the prevalence of allergic diseases and atopy in travellers and to asses the suitability of enlisting the examination of atopy into the common care of business travellers before the departure to exotic countries. Methods: In the cross-sectional study (january–december 2004/March 2006), we studied the frequency distribution of allergic diseases in the personal history (mucosal and cutaneous), atopy (presence of specific IgE antibodyies in response to common inhalation allergens in blood by the Phadiatop test) and total IgE antibodies in travellers (n = 266, mean age 38, SD 11) and subjects of a control group (n = 299, mean age 38, SD 13), who were recruited from men, who had never been exposed to dust and potential professional allergens in their occupational environment. All respondents (n = 565) were examined by a physician at the clinic. Results: There were 44 % allergics and 34 % atopics in travellers and no statistically significant differences between travellers and controls were found. The high level of IgE antibodies was found only in 53 % in people with atopy and also in 10 % in non-atopy subjects. We found the high level of IgE antibodies only in 27 % of allergic subjects whereas the high level of specific IgE antibodies (atopy) were found in 57 % of allergic subjects. The significantly higher prevalence of atopy (40 %) was found in younger clients (19–30 years) compared to older ones (48–60 years) with the prevalence of 24 % (p = 0,0000). Conclusion:The results of this study showed that prevalence of atopy in the Ostrava population is comparable with a worldwide trend, even in persons without clinical manifestation of allergic diseases. They indicate the importance of a detailed examination of an allergic profile and examination of atopy in young business travellers going to countries with an epidemilogical risk.

        Key words: atopy, parasitic diseases, care of travellers