House-dust Mite Asthma. Results of Challenge Tests on Five Criteria with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus

Abstract

In view of the prevalence of D. pteronyssinus in this country and its high allergenic potency, it is considered that this mite is an important factor in allergic asthma. IntroductionThe importance of the house-dust mite as a cause of allergic disease has only recently been recognized (Voorhorst et al.,

The late phase of the immediate wheal and flare skin reaction. Its dependence upon IgE antibodies.

“…Indeed, late asthmatic responses can result from bronchial challenge by antigen and correspond in time to the LPR of skin. Such late asthmatic responses have been induced by inhalation of ragweed pollen (36), house dust (50), and the house dust mite, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (51). Finally, the LPR could be important in host defense against parasite infestation.…”

Antibody Response following Prolonged Hyposensitization with <i>Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus</i> Extract

“…Subsequently the importance of allergy to Dermatophagoides species in the aetiology of perennial rhinitis and asth- 1 Supported by the Asthma Research Council. ma has become well established [2][3][4], In addition it has been found that hyposensiti zation (or desensitization) with extracts of house dust, D. pteronyssinus or Dermato phagoides farinae, may result in clinical im provement. In some studies up to 80°/o of treated patients were improved by hyposen sitization, although generally the improve ment was not dramatic [5][6][7][8][9][10].…”

House dust mites and allergy.

“…In London, McAllen, Assem, and Maunsell (1970) found also a close parallel between reactions in patients allergic to house dust and to D. pteronyssinus using skin, nasal, and bronchial provocation tests, and also in tests of histamine release from leucocytes and from passively sensitized human lung. It is much easier to culture D. farinae than D. pteronyssinus.…”