广州地区呼吸道疾病患儿16种常见变应原检测分析

目的 了解广州地区呼吸道疾病患儿对16种常见变应原的过敏情况,同时探讨不同年龄组之间的变应原阳性率差异,并比较致敏程度.方法 选择2007年8月至2008年3月广州医学院第一附属医院呼吸科门诊和儿科门诊初诊为支气管哮喘、过敏性鼻炎、呼吸道感染等患儿320例为研究对象,其中婴幼儿组(≤3岁)214例,儿童组(>3岁)106例.采用德国FOOKE ALLERG-O-LIQ-SYSTEM变应原检测系统,通过免疫捕获法检测血清中常见的16种变应原特异性免疫球蛋白E(SIgE)抗体.结果 在所有患儿中,其中261例(81.56%)SIgE呈阳性.59例(18.44%)呈阴性.16种变应原SIgE阳性率为屋尘螨(36.88%)、粉尘螨(35.31%)、热带螨(24.06%)、狗毛(6.56%)、猫毛(8.75%)、德国小蠊(16.56%)、蜜蜂毒素(0.94%)、屋尘(45.63%)、全蛋(45.94%)、牛奶(46.25%)、小麦面粉(6.88%)、玉米粉(1.25%)、花生(9.06%)、大豆(5.94%)、螃蟹(2.81%)、虾(4.38%).婴幼儿组SIgE的阳性率为81.78%,以食物性变应原(牛奶、全蛋)为主;儿童组的阳性率为81.13%,以吸人性变应原(尘螨)为主(X2=0.02,P=0.89).儿童组尘螨的过敏阳性率均高于婴幼儿组(P<0.05),且儿童组屋尘螨和粉尘螨的过敏程度多在3级以上.婴幼儿组各级阳性率比较平均.两组对热带螨的过敏程度均较低,多在3级以下.婴幼儿组牛奶和全蛋过敏阳性率高于儿童组(P<0.05),两组的过敏程度均在3级以下.结论 儿童组与婴幼儿组对常见变应原的总阳性率差异无统计学意义,只是对不同变应原阳性率及过敏程度的差异.儿童组主要是对吸人性变应原产生过敏,婴幼儿组主要是对食物性变应原产生过敏,应以不同年龄段来分析儿童变应原检测结果.     

狗毛、猫毛过敏患者特异性IgE水平分析

目的 了解北京地区不同年龄、性别过敏患者对狗毛、猫毛过敏原的敏感性差异.方法 本研究采用回顾性横断面研究,纳入我科2016年10月至2020年1月因过敏性疾病就诊患者2092例.对狗毛和猫毛过敏患者的比例、性别、年龄以及sIgE水平进行比较,并对上述因素之间的相关性进行分析.结果 狗毛过敏总阳性率明显低于猫毛(P=0....     

广州地区支气管哮喘患者常见吸入变应原调查分析

目的调查广州地区支气管哮喘发病相关的主要致敏变应原.方法对102例支气管哮喘缓解期患者,其中儿童48例,成人54例,用尘螨、霉菌、猫毛等12种常见吸入变应原进行皮肤点刺试验,并测定其中27例总IgE(TIgE)的水平.结果儿童组尘螨皮试阳性率最高(均为79.2%),其次是屋尘(72.9%).成年组尘螨皮试阳性率最高,粉尘螨和屋尘螨分别为59.3%、62.9%,其次为屋尘(40.7%).在动物毛发皮屑中,以狗毛为主,猫毛次之;对于所有变应原,儿童组的阳性百分率远远高于成年组;27例血清总IgE的均值为506.1KU/L,远高于正常人,其中皮试阳性者TIgE水平高于皮试阴性者(p<0.01).结论广州地区主要变应原均为尘螨,且哮喘儿童对尘螨过敏的阳性率显著高于成人.     

支气管哮喘不同年龄组致敏原分析

目的研究支气管哮喘不同年龄组的主要致敏原分布特性,为诊断和预防提供科学依据.方法采用UniCap100检测143例支气管哮喘患者的血清40种特异性IgE,按年龄分组分析致敏原阳性率.结果①婴幼儿组以鸡蛋、尘螨和牛奶为主要致敏原.②4岁以后以屋尘螨、粉尘螨、屋尘、蛔虫、飞蛾、蟑螂、蚕丝、狗毛为主要致敏原,而蛔虫在30～50岁组的阳性率甚至比尘螨高,40种变应原中各年龄组间存在着显著性差异的有13种,其中包括屋尘、屋尘螨、粉尘螨、蛔虫、飞蛾、蚕丝、狗毛、木麻黄花粉、蒿花粉、苋花粉、牛奶、鸡蛋、蟹.③随着年龄的增长,虾蟹成为主要的食物致敏原.结论支气管哮喘的致敏原因,在婴幼儿期要高度重视鸡蛋、牛奶的过敏,同时不能忽视尘螨过敏的可能性,随着年龄的增长支气管哮喘的主要致敏原是吸入性抗原,而30岁后的患者对蛔虫的高阳性率应引起人们的注意.     

支气管哮喘不同年龄组致敏原分析

目的研究支气管哮喘不同年龄组的主要致敏原分布特性，为诊断和预防提供科学依据．方法采用Unicap100检测143例支气管哮喘患者的血清40种特异性IgE，按年龄分组分析致敏原阳性率．结果①婴幼儿组以鸡蛋、尘螨和牛奶为主要致敏原．②4岁以后以屋尘螨、粉尘螨、屋尘、蛔虫、飞蛾、蟑螂、蚕丝、狗毛为主要致敏原，而蛔虫在30～50岁组的阳性率甚至比尘螨高，40种变应原中各年龄组间存在着显著性差异的有13种，其中包括屋尘、屋尘螨、粉尘螨、蛔虫、飞蛾、蚕丝、狗毛、木麻黄花粉、蒿花粉、苋花粉、牛奶、鸡蛋、蟹．③随着年龄的增长，虾蟹成为主要的食物致敏原．结论支气管哮喘的致敏原因，在婴幼儿期要高度重视鸡蛋、牛奶的过敏，同时不能忽视尘螨过敏的可能性，随着年龄的增长支气管哮喘的主要致敏原是吸入性抗原，而30岁后的患者对蛔虫的高阳性率应引起人们的注意．     

过敏原蛋白组分sIgE检测及分析

目的 分析过敏性疾病患者血清中多种过敏原蛋白组分的sIgE,明确过敏原中的致敏蛋白组分,为临床过敏性疾病预防和治疗提供科学依据.方法 采用荧光酶联免疫法,用ImmunoCAP过敏原检测试剂检测受试者血液标本中过敏原蛋白组分及相关过敏原的特异性IgE(sIgE)水平,统计每种过敏原蛋白组分sIgE检出量和阳性率,并对主要致敏蛋白组分sIgE阳性率和相关过敏原的阳性率进行对比和分析.结果 40种过敏原蛋白组分的阳性率均小于过敏原的阳性率,致敏组分和交叉过敏组分共存于过敏原中.户尘螨、黄胡蜂毒、桃、猫毛、榛子、牛奶和鸡蛋的主要致敏蛋白组分阳性率高于过敏原阳性率的50%;百慕达草、意大利蜜蜂毒、桦树和花生的主要致敏蛋白组分阳性率介于过敏原阳性率的20%~50%之间;虾、狗毛、梯牧草和北艾草的主要致敏蛋白组分阳性率低于过敏原阳性率的20%.结论 过敏原蛋白组分检测能鉴别过敏原中真正致敏的蛋白组分,解决由于交叉反应所导致的过敏原特异性诊断难题,确保过敏性疾病特异性免疫治疗的精确性和有效性.     

通辽地区过敏原检测结果及与其他地区对比分析

为了解通辽地区常见过敏原的分布情况与特点,采用欧蒙免疫印迹法,对428例疑似过敏性疾病患者的血清标本中18种过敏原的特异性IgE类抗体进行半定量检测。根据各种过敏原特异性IgE抗体阳性百分率,分别对通辽地区和其他地区的结果进行了排序,并计算出各地区同一过敏原特异性IgE抗体阳性百分率的平均序位,并将通辽地区序位与其他地区序位和各个地区平均序位进行了对比。结果显示,通辽地区食入性和吸入性过敏原阳性率最高的分别为淡水鱼组合(10.30%)和艾蒿(6.54%)。有20.56%的过敏性疾病患者只对某一种过敏原呈阳性反应,有10.51%的患者对两种过敏原呈阳性反应。通辽地区蟑螂、霉菌组合、屋尘、普通豚草、尘螨组合的特异性IgE抗体阳性百分率的序位明显低于各地区平均序位,而螃蟹/虾、葎草、花生、淡水鱼组合、海洋鱼组合和大豆的序位明显高于各地区平均序位。这提示淡水鱼组合、海洋鱼组合、大豆、花生、艾蒿、树木组合、蟑螂、狗上皮、豚草、尘螨组合是通辽地区常见的引起过敏性疾病的过敏原。多数患者只对一种或两种过敏原呈阳性反应。通辽地区过敏原特异性IgE抗体阳性百分率的序位与其他地区序位和各地区平均序位对比显示,通辽地区疑似过敏性疾病人群的过敏原分布具有鲜明的特征。     

三亚地区儿童体外变应原检测及结果分析

为探讨三亚地区儿童常见变应原的致敏情况及分布,为儿童过敏性疾病的防治提供科学依据,采用Mediwiss公司敏筛定量变应原检测系统及其专用体外变应原诊断试剂对1 173例患儿进行常见的吸入性与食入性变应原体外免疫检测,并计算各种过敏所占阳性比,同时比较三亚地区不同年龄段吸入组及食入组变应原阳性率的变化趋势。结果显示:①在所有吸入组变应原中,首要变应原为户尘螨(26.09%),其次为猫、狗毛皮屑(24.30%),混合树花粉(18.67%),混合真菌(13.73%),屋尘(8.18%)等;随年龄增长,混合真菌和猫、狗毛皮屑阳性率总体呈下降趋势,户尘螨、屋尘、矮豚草蒿葎草、混合树花粉、苋、蟑螂阳性率呈上升趋势;户尘螨,屋尘,猫、狗毛皮屑等阳性在A～D年龄组中的分布差异有统计学意义(P0.05),最常见的双重阳性组合为户尘螨+猫、狗毛皮屑,其次为户尘螨+屋尘。②在食入组变应原中居于前3位的分别为牛奶、腰果、鸡蛋白;随着年龄的增长,牛奶的阳性率呈下降趋势,菠萝呈上升趋势,其他变应原变化规律不明显;除腰果、菠萝外,其他变应原阳性率在A～D年龄组间的分布差异均有统计学意义(P0.01)。由此可知,海南三亚地区过敏患儿变应原分布与国内外其他地区存在差异。三亚地区导致儿童过敏性疾病的前5位变应原依次为:牛奶,户尘螨,猫、狗毛皮屑,腰果,鸡蛋白,食入性变应原居于首位。     

848例儿童过敏性疾病血清样本过敏原检测分析

目的 通过对过敏性疾病血清样本过敏原检测结果分析,初步了解现阶段儿童过敏性疾病中过敏原的种类及特点,为临床预防和治疗过敏性疾病提供参考.方法 采用德国Mediwiss过敏原体外检测系统,对848份过敏性儿童的血清样本进行总IgE和19种过敏原特异性IgE(sIgE)定量检测.结果 848份过敏患儿血清样本中总IgE阳性率为83.96％,19种过敏原检测阳性率为76.77％,最常见的过敏原是点青霉(246例,29.0％)、牛奶(211例,24.9％)、羊肉(119例,14.0％)、猫毛、狗毛(110例,13.0％)、鸡蛋白、蛋黄(87例,11.3％);在＜3、4～6、7～10岁,不同年龄段儿童过敏原物质检出率存在差异性及相关性.结论 北京地区过敏性疾病儿童最主要的过敏原是尘螨,其次是牛奶、猫狗毛皮屑、鸡蛋白;不同年龄段,儿童过敏原检出存在差异,在不同过敏原之间又有一定的相关性.     

荧光酶联免疫法和免疫印迹法检测过敏原特异性免疫球蛋白E一致性分析

目的 以荧光酶联免疫法的Immuno CAP系统为标准方法,探讨免疫印迹法的Allergy Screen系统的检验效能及在不同系统疾病诊疗中的临床应用价值。方法 收集2017年至2022年就诊于首都医科大学附属北京儿童医院过敏反应科的过敏原致敏患者血清样本4 525份,根据疾病类型分为呼吸系统疾病组、消化系统疾病组、多系统疾病组和其他系统疾病组。采用Allergy Screen系统检测血清中的户尘螨、粉尘螨、烟曲霉、猫毛、狗毛、豚草、艾蒿、葎草、鸡蛋、牛奶、蟹、虾过敏原sIgE。对Allergy Screen系统的检验效能、可靠性、级别一致性和不同疾病系统组的应用进行评价。结果 在检验效能上,Allergy Screen系统猫毛过敏原灵敏度最高为0.75,特异性为0.95。其次为蟹过敏原,灵敏度为0.57,特异性为0.89。Allergy Screen法检测各过敏原的Kappa值在0.122～0.866之间。豚草一致性好,Kappa值为0.866。Allergy Screen系统的Spearman相关分析结果显示,对粉尘螨、艾蒿、猫毛等级相关性均>0.7,关系非常紧密。其中粉尘螨...     

Association between mite allergen (Der p 1, Der f 1, Blo t 5) levels and microscopic identification of mites or skin prick test results in asthmatic subjects

BACKGROUND: Mite allergens have been involved in airway sensitization and allergic diseases. Immunoassays for the identification and quantifiction of house dust mite (HDM) allergens are useful to improve the knowledge of regional mite fauna and the remediation of mite allergens in allergic diseases. The present study analyzed the association between levels of HDM allergen and results of mite identification or skin prick test (SPT) in two different areas of Bahia, Brazil. METHODS: Forty-two asthmatic subjects from a rural area (group I; n = 21) and a slum (group II; n = 21) were evaluated through SPT with HDM allergens and had dust samples collected at their homes for mite identification and allergen measurements. RESULTS: Positive SPT to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae and Blomia tropicalis allergens were observed in 42.9, 38.0 and 42.9% subjects from group I and in 47.6, 19.0 and 33.3% subjects from group II, respectively. D. pteronyssinus and B. tropicalis were identified in approximately 76 and 50% of samples from both groups, respectively. D. farinae was identified in 38.0 and 9.5% of samples from groups I and II, respectively (p < 0.005). Der p 1, Der f 1 and Blo t 5 detection were associated with mite identification (p < 0.05). Association between HDM allergen levels over 2 microg/g of dust and positive SPT occurred only with D. pteronyssinus (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: D. pteronyssinus was the most prevalent mite species in this study followed by B. tropicalis and D. farinae. Immunoassays done to measure mite allergens were associated with mite-species identification. We conclude that these three mite species must be included on panels for the diagnosis of allergic airway diseases in subjects living in such regions.     

The chitinase allergens Der p 15 and Der p 18 from Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus

BACKGROUND: House dust mites Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae cause allergic disease in humans as well as in dogs. In geographical regions where the two mite species coexist, they both elicit specific immunoglobulin (Ig E) responses in humans whereas dogs preferentially react to D. farinae extracts. In dogs the main IgE binding is directed to the D. farinae chitinase allergens Der f 15 and Der f 18 and not to the groups 1 and 2 allergens as found for humans. Although the IgE response of humans to Der f 18 has been investigated there is no report on Der f 15-specific IgE in humans. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to characterize the chitinase allergens Der p 15 and Der p 18 of D. pteronyssinus and to find out whether they are important allergens for humans. METHODS: cDNA was cloned by a polymerase chain reaction strategy from D. pteronyssinus libraries using primers based on conserved chitinase sequences. IgE binding to the recombinant polypeptides was measured by immunosorbent assay. Mice were immunized with the polypeptides and cross-reactivity examined. RESULTS: Two variants of Der p 15 were isolated, encoding mature proteins of 58.8 and 61.4 kDa. The amino acid sequences had 90% identity to Der f 15. The cDNA for Der p 18 encoded a mature protein of 49.2 kDa with 88% sequence identity to Der f 18. Der p 15-specific IgE was detected in 70% and Der p 18-specific IgE in 63% of a panel of 27 human allergic sera. CONCLUSIONS: The D. pteronyssinus chitinases Der p 15 and Der p 18 show a high frequency of binding to IgE in allergic human sera. They are therefore potentially important allergens for humans as well as dogs.     

Cross-reactivity of T-cell responses to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and D. farinae. Studies with group 1 and 7 allergens

BACKGROUND: Comparative information on T-cell responses to allergens from different Dermatophagoides species is limited even though differences in the epitypic recognition have been described. OBJECTIVE: To compare the level of T-cell proliferation and cytokine production to allergens from the mite species, D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae. METHODS: Freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from house dust mite (HDM)-allergic and HDM-nonallergic donors were stimulated with the group 1 and group 7 allergens of D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae and the level of proliferation as well as IL-5 and IFNgamma production were measured. RESULTS: The proliferative response and the level of IL-5 produced after in vitro challenge with group 1 and group 7 allergens were equivalent for the allergens from both mite species even though D. farinae is not detected in the environment where the study population live. As expected the level of IL-5 production to the individual allergens was higher for the allergic donor group than for the nonallergic donors, however, there was no difference in the level of T-cell proliferation between the different donor groups. CONCLUSION: The proliferative and cytokine response to the group 1 and group 7 allergens for D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae indicates that there is a large degree of T-cell cross-reactivity between the whole purified allergens from each species. This is despite previous reports demonstrating different responses to synthetic peptides representing Der p 1 and Der f 1 in a similar study population.     

The house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus is the most important allergen on the island of Mauritius

To determine the relative importance of mites as a cause of allergic sensitivity and asthma on the western Indian Ocean island of Mauritius, we measured specific IgE antibodies to common inhalant allergens in sera from Mauritians claiming to have allergic symptoms and we examined house dust samples for evidence of mites and their allergens. Seventy-two of the 110 sera tested (65%) contained detectable IgE antibody to at least one mite, mould or pollen allergenic extract. By far the most prevalent was antibody to one or both of the common house dust mites, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae, being present in 67 (61%) of the 110 sera. Allergy to pollens, including the locally prevalent Bermuda grass and sugar cane, was infrequent. Antibody to a limited number of moulds was detected in 22% of the sera tested. Of 81 subjects whose clinical history was known, 60 were asthmatic, and 75% of these asthmatic individuals had IgE antibody to mites. In contrast, only 35% of the subjects with rhinitis without asthma were sensitive to mites. Different mite species, including D. pteronyssinus but not D. farinae, were identified microscopically in samples of local house dust. Mite antigen Der p I but not antigen Der f I was detected with specific monoclonal antibodies in extracts of these dust samples. On the bases of this serological and environmental survey, we conclude that our data support the hypothesis that the house dust mite D. pteronyssinus is the principal cause of allergic sensitivity and asthma in that tropical environment.     

Sensitization to local dust-mite fauna in Singapore

BACKGROUND: Recent studies showed the presence of a unique dust-mite fauna in the indoor environment of Singapore. Immediate hypersensitivity to these dust mites, along with other known indoor allergens, may play a role in the pathogenesis of allergic respiratory diseases. This study evaluated the sensitization rates of the local atopic population to these allergens. METHODS: The skin prick test was performed on a total of 391 individuals (289 patients with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis and 102 healthy controls) using extracts of six species of local dust mites (Austroglycyphagus malaysiensis, Blomia tropicalis, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, D. farinae, Sturnophagoides brasiliensis, and Tyrophagus putrescentiae) and 10 other common indoor allergens. Total serum IgE and specific IgE to these dust mites were also quantified with the fluorescence allergosorbent test (FAST). RESULTS: The sensitization rates among patients with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis to dust mites and other inhalant allergens tested (via skin prick tests) were as follow: B. tropicalis (96.2%), D. pteronyssinus (93.4%), D. farinae (92.3%), A. malaysiensis (78.2%), S. brasiliensis (71.6%), T. putrescentiae (71.3%), canary feathers (69.9%), Periplaneta americana (cockroach) (59.5%), Blattella germanica (cockroach) (56.4%), mosquito (Aedes sp.) (46.4%), dog epithelia (mixed breed) (34.3%), kapok seed (31.8%), cat hair (29.1%), Aspergillus fumigatus (20.8%), Penicillium notatum (18.0%), and Candida (Monilia) albicans (9.3%). All patients were observed to react to at least three of the six dust-mite extracts, with 254/289 (87.9%) reacting to at least five or to all six. Skin prick responses to the dust mites were found to correlate with the corresponding specific IgE levels quantified by FAST (P<0.001). In addition, specific IgE levels to D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae were highly correlated (Spearman's rank coefficient = 0.76, P<0.001), as were those to B. tropicalis and A. malaysiensis (r = 0.60, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Asthma and/or allergic rhinitis patients were highly sensitized to the local dust-mite fauna. Thus, these dust mites should be considered important allergenic sources of this region.     

Sensitization to Dermatophagoides siboney, Blomia tropicalis, and other domestic mites in asthmatic patients

Mite species adapted to warm, humid climates are commonly found in house dust in the tropics. In Cuba, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, D. siboney , and Blomia tropicalis are the most common and abundant mite species in house dust. To investigate the pattern of Sensitization of Cuban asthmatic patients to common mite species, we skin-prick-tested (SPT) 148 patients with a clinical history of asthma and possible mite allergy, and determined specific IgE antibodies against mite allergens ( D. pteronyssinus, D. farinae, D. siboney, B. tropicalis, Acarus siro, Lepidoglyphus destructor, Tyrophagus putrescentiae , and Glycyphagus domesticus ). The prevalence of positive SPT was high to D. siboney (88%), D. pteronyssinus (87%), A. siro (85%), B. tropicalis (85%), and D. farinae (83%). The largest skin reactions were obtained with D. siboney and B. tropicalis extracts. The skin test response to the D. siboney extract correlated to those of D. farinae, D. pteronyssinus, B. tropicalis , and A. siro. The highest IgE levels were found to Dermatophagoides species and B. tropicalis. IgE to D. siboney and B. tropicalis were found in 97% and 96% of the patients, respectively. The prevalence of specific IgE to the other mites studied varied from 46 to 65%. D. siboney and B. tropicalis are important sensitizers among asthmatic patients in Cuba.     

Comparative detection of mite allergens in house dust of homes in Moscow by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and acarologic analysis

The present study revealed that 73% of surveyed apartments in Moscow whose residents included children with the atopic form of bronchial asthma and sensitization to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergens were infested with the pyroglyphid mites D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae. The number of mites in the surveyed apartments varied between 0 and 154 mites/g of dust for D. pteronyssinus and between 0 and 162 mites/g of dust for D. farinae. The levels of mite allergens in these apartments ranged from 0.5 to 165.8 μg/g for Der p I and from 0.3 to 91.3 μg/g of dust for Der f I. The Der p I allergen was found to predominate, and its concentration in one-third of the apartments was more than 10-fold greater than that of Der f I. Correlation between the number of pyroglyphid mites and the concentration of group I allergens was established for both D. pteronyssinus ( r = 0.4932; P < 0.01) and D. farinae (r = 0.6748; P <0.01). In most of the apartments, high and moderate levels of Der I allergens were detected.     

Comparison of in vitro assay for specific IgE and skin prick test with intradermal test in patients with allergic rhinitis

Among many diagnostic tests for allergic rhinitis, the intradermal (ID) test is practical and reliable. However, there are several factors affecting compliance, practicability and interpretation, and also problems on hypersensitivity of the ID. For these reasons, we evaluated other tests which have been thought to have high reliability as diagnostic and/or screening assays, namely, skin prick test and specific IgE detection in seventy-four perennial rhinitis patients (51 males and 23 females whose ages were between 15-60 years). In this study, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and D. farinae extracts, known to be the most common aeroallergens in Thailand, were used as the allergens/antigens. Compared to the standard ID test, sensitivities to D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae of the studied patients tested by skin prick test were 90.4% and 86.4%, and specificities were 99.5% and 93.1%, respectively. Sensitivities to D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae using specific IgE assay were 96.3% and 88.9%, and specificities were 96.2% and 88.9%, respectively. It was concluded that the skin prick test can be used as a screening method for patients with allergic rhinitis, while the specific IgE detection can be used as an alternative for diagnosis of patients who are susceptible to the ID test or for those who are severely susceptible to allergic rhinitis such that medication can not be withdrawn for the ID test.     

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Determination of Major Excrement Allergens of House Dust Mite Species D. pteronyssinus, D. farinae and D. microceras

Species-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for major excrement allergens (Dp42, Df6 and Dm6) of D. pteronyssinus, D. farinae and D. microceras in house dust were established, using immunoabsorbed, monospecific rabbit antibodies, coupled to horse radish peroxidase. The limit of detection was 13, 4 and 38 ng/ml, respectively. The coefficient of variation for the entire procedure, including dust sieving (212 micron) and extraction was 5-16% for allergen levels above 1000 ng/g dust. Allergen concentration by ELISA correlated well with the number of mite bodies identified and counted by microscopy in 31 dusts (r = 0.88, 0.86 and 0.82 for combined Dermatophagoides sp., D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae group, resp.) Dermatophagoides allergen was recorded in 21/22 mattress dusts (median: 26,000 ng/g; maximum: 290,000 ng/g). D. pteronyssinus allergen occurred in largest amounts (median 7,500 ng/g) followed by D. microceras (median 650 ng/g) and D. farinae (median 240 ng/g).     

Sensitization and exposure to house dust and storage mites in high-altitude areas of ecuador.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have addressed exposure and sensitization to mite allergens in Andean countries. OBJECTIVES: To identify the main mite species in 3 locations at different altitudes in Ecuador and to verify skin test reactivity to various mite species in allergic individuals in Quito, Ecuador. METHODS: Mattress dust samples were collected in Quito (2,800 m above sea level), Cuenca (2,500 m above sea level), and Guayaquil (sea level). Mite species present in the samples were isolated, identified, and counted. Der p 1 and Der f 1 levels were measured using monoclonal antibody-based enzyme immunoassays. Four hundred thirty-five patients in Quito diagnosed as having allergic rhinitis or asthma underwent skin testing with commercial extracts of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, Blomia tropicalis, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, and Lepidoglyphus destructor. In addition, Glycyphagus domesticus, Acarus siro, and Aleuroglyphus ovatus were tested in 362, 262, and 279 patients, respectively. RESULTS: Twenty-one mite species were identified. Large populations of mites were detected above 2,500 m of altitude. All the dust samples contained detectable levels of Der p 1 or Der f 1. Positive skin prick test reactions to D. pteronyssinus, D. farinae, B. tropicalis, L. destructor, T. putrescentiae, A. ovatus, A. siro, and G. domesticus were obtained in 60.9%, 56.8%, 17.0%, 19.3%, 10.6%, 15.8%, 8.8%, and 11.0% of the patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Most analyzed mattresses contained several species of mites. Mite allergen levels were high. This study confirms the importance of house dust and storage mite allergens in Ecuador in areas above 2,500 m of altitude, where humidity remains high year round.