Sensitivity to Five Types of House Dust Mite in a Group of Allergic Egyptian Children

Abstract

Background: The published data on house dust mite (HDM) sensitization from Egypt are scanty. We sought to investigate the sensitization to five different types of HDM among a group of allergic children in a trial to outline the most frequent sensitizing strains in the Cairo Province. Methods: We consecutively enrolled 100 asthmatic patients, aged 1-7 years, of whom 22 had concomitant skin allergy. Skin prick testing was performed using allergen extracts of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, Lepidoglyphus destructor, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, and Acarus siro. Results: Twenty-four patients (24%) were sensitized to one or more strains of HDM. Sensitization to one strain was revealed in 12% of the studied sample, while sensitization to two or three strains was detected in 8% and 4% respectively. Twelve percent of the enrolled children were sensitive to D. pteronyssinus, 11% to D. farinae, 7% to L. destructor, 6% to T. putrescentiae, and 4% to A. siro. Eight out of the 12 (66%) children sensitive to one strain had mild intermittent asthma, while five out of eight (62.5%) sensitive to two strains had moderate persistent asthma. All children sensitized to three strains of HDM had persistent rather than intermittent asthma. HDM sensitization did not correlate significantly to the history of sun exposure, bed mattresses and pillows, living in farms, or exposure to stored grains. The co-existence of atopic dermatitis tended to have a higher rate of HDM sensitization. Conclusion: D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae represent the most common sensitizing strains in the studied sample. Wider-scale population-based studies are needed to assess the prevalence of HDM allergy and its clinical correlates in our country.

Particularities of allergy in the Tropics

“…In the same city, the Odds ratios (95 % CI) for sensitization of a group of adolescents to D. pteronyssinus, D. farinae and B. tropicalis in relation with asthma were 7.28 (3.75–14.15), 2.65 (1.27–5.45) and 3.23 (1.68–6.21), respectively [ 263 ]. Sensitization to one or more mite species was reported in 24 % of Cairene children with allergic diseases; D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae were the most common sensitizers [ 264 ].…”

Sensitization to 10 mites in a tropic area. Der p and Der f are important risk factor for sensitization to other mites from Pyroglyphidae, Acaridae, Chortoglyphidae, and Glyciphagidae families

“…11 This study found that patients with persistent asthma used to have a sensitization to at least 3 of the mites studied. Puerta et al 12 found that among 77 patients with asthma and/or rhinitis positive to Der f or Der p, over 70 % had sensitization to other mites (Der f 89 %, Ale o 68 % Blo t 80 %, Der p 75 % Cho 71 %, Lep d 59 %), indicating that sensitization in Cartagena is common to Pyroglyphidae mites (Der f, Der p) and mites from other families.…”

Sensitization to food and inhalant allergens in healthy children in Van, East Turkey

“…Studies have shown that the most common inhalant allergens are Dermatophagoides farinae, D. pteronyssinus, cats, and dogs (13). D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae also represent the most common sensitizing strains of house dust mites (16).…”