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Environmental assessment of Dermatophagoides mite‐allergen levels in Sweden should include Der m 1
Author(s) -
Warner A.,
Boström S.,
Munir A. K. M.,
Möller C.,
Schou C.,
Kjellman N.I. M.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.363
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1398-9995
pISSN - 0105-4538
DOI - 10.1111/j.1398-9995.1998.tb03956.x
Subject(s) - allergen , mite , immunoglobulin e , immunology , pyroglyphidae , house dust mite , acariformes , sensitization , allergy , acari , antibody , medicine , biology , ecology
The major allergen of Dermatophagoides microceras , Der m 1, as well as the allergens of D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae , Der p 1 and Der f 1, were analyzed in the homes of 111 asthmatic children in three climatic regions in Sweden. TTie numbers and species of mites were determined by microscopy, and circulating IgE antibodies against mites were measured. Der f 1 was the predominant house‐dust‐mite (HDM) allergen, Der p 1 the least often found, and Der m 1 represented 31% of the allergen load. However, in the Linkoping area, Der m 1 was the major HDM allergen (58%). Mite counts and allergen levels correlated well. Current exposure to HDM allergens at home was associated with the serum IgE antibody response to HDM in the children with no threshold level. Of the ehildren with IgE antibodies against HDM, 67% reacted to all three mites. Mite sensitization rates were marginally increased (7%) by the addition of IgE analysis of D. microceras to the routine analysis of IgE antibodies against D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae . Thus, Der m 1 may be an important HDM allergen and should be considered when HDM exposure data are assessed in areas with a climate like that of Sweden.