Can mite‐specific IgE be used as a surrogate for mite exposure?

Abstract

Several epidemiologic studies suggest that in mite-sensitive patients symptoms are dependent upon mite-exposure level. However, in clinical practice, it si not easy to measure major mite allergens. In contrast, assay of specific IgE antibodies can be done routinely. Thus, we wanted to compare, in a group of 40 mite-sensitive patients, the levels of mite-specific IgE (measured by RAST grade 0-6) and the level of mite group I allergen in mattresses (measured in micrograms/g house dust). The correlation coefficient between both variables was highly significant (P = 0.001). Subjects with a RAST grade of 3 or more had a 77% probability of being exposed to high (i.e., > 10 micrograms/g dust) mite allergen level. In contrast, subjects with RAST grades 0, 1, or 2 had a 77% probability of not being exposed to such high levels. Thus, measurement of serum mite-specific IgE level could be used in routine prediction of mite exposure.

Seasonal Variation of Skin Reactivity and Specific IgE Antibody to House Dust Mite

“…For the evaluation of allergen exposure in asthmatic patients, collection and processing of house dust is widely used, 9 which cannot be done easily in clinical practice. Several cross-sectional studies have suggested that environmental house dust mite concentration correlates with specific IgE response and skin reactivity to house dust mite allergen, 6,7 and it has been suggested that levels of specific IgE antibodies can be used to evaluate exposure to house dust mite allergen because there is a significant correlation between specific IgE and environmental house dust mite allergen levels in mite-sensitive patients. 7 Avoidance of exposure to house dust mite allergen at high altitude, where no house dust mite was recovered, resulted in decreases of serum house dust mite-specific IgE antibody levels.…”

“…5 Several cross-sectional studies have suggested that environmental house dust mite allergen concentration correlates with specific IgE response and skin reactivity to house dust mite. 6,7 To the best of our knowledge, however, changes in specific immune response to house dust mite in association with seasonal changes in environmental house dust mite allergen level have not been demonstrated. 4 To further evaluate the influence of natural exposure to house dust mite allergen on specific immune response to house dust mite, we measured changes in skin reactivity and specific IgE antibody to house dust mite in 14 mite-sensitive asthmatic patients, and changes in house dust mite allergen levels in their houses for 6 months.…”

Environmental assessment and exposure control of dust mites: a practice parameter

“…One study that compared levels of mite-specific IgE with exposure to mite allergen in mattresses found a highly significant correlation between the 2 variables, with higher exposures being associated with higher levels of specific IgE. 85 …”

Lack of association between indoor allergen sensitization and asthma morbidity in inner-city adults

“…Allergen-specific serum IgE levels >0.35 kU/L were considered indicative of sensitization. [32][33][34] In addition, secondary analyses were performed by using a more stringent definition of sensitization-that is, IgE levels 0.7 kU/L as a cutoff for sensitization.…”