The Role of Mite, House Dust and Candida Allergens in Chronic Urticaria

Abstract

Intradermal skin tests and in vitro antigen‐induced histamine release from leucocytes were carried out using mite, house dust and candida allergens in 49 patients with chronic urticaria in whom the cause was not identifiable from the history. None of them had other atopic diseases. Among the 49 cases, the number of patients who gave positive skin reactions to different allergens was as follows: mite, 24; house dust, 18; candida, 17. Significant histamine release from leucocytes by mite antigen was observed in 8 out of 12 patients who had 2+ or 3+ skin reactions. The present results suggest that mite, house dust and candida allergens may play a role in chronic urticaria, and especially that the mite may be one of the possible allergens in chronic urticaria.

Evaluation of Autologous Serum Skin Test and Skin Prick Test Reactivity to House Dust Mite in Patients with Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria

“…HDM in present study, but with negative ASST. Type I allergy is a rare cause of chronic spontaneous urticaria in patients who present with daily or almost daily symptoms, but must be considered in chronic spontaneous urticaria patients with intermittent symptoms [1], [14], [15], [17], [18], [19], [20], [21]. In our study, most patients with positive SPT but negative ASST presented intermittent urticarial symtoms and higher titre of HDM-specific IgE than other groups [21].…”

“…Previous studies, and our clinical practice, have revealed that patients with evaluated HDM-sIgE antibodies in serum typically accompany positive SPT against HDM. Additionally, correlation between skin test reactivity and in vitro mite-induced histamine release from leukocytes has been demonstrated [15], [20]. Furthermore, avoidance of mites can partly relieve symptoms in small subgroup of patients in clinical practices, and remission of symptoms of urticaria after HDM immunotherapy in patients with respiratory house dust mite allergy and chronic urticaria, has been observed [26].…”

“…However, the significance of mite sensitization in the pathogenesis of CSU is still in dispute [13], [14], [15], [17], [18], [19], [25]. Theoretically, it is possible that HDM induce urticarial reactions via entering the body through inhalation or through the epidermis [20], [26]. Previous studies, and our clinical practice, have revealed that patients with evaluated HDM-sIgE antibodies in serum typically accompany positive SPT against HDM.…”

“…Reports from our lab, as well as reports by other groups, support that the most common positive aeroallergen in CSU is HDM [14], [15], [17], [18], [19], [20], [21]. Our aims were to explore the prevalence of ASST and sensitization to HDM, and the underlying significances of these two assays in patients with CSU.…”

“…Meanwhile, a number of studies have shown that between 25–58% of CU patients had a positive cutaneous reaction and/or evaluated serum specific IgE antibodies against house dust mite (HDM), suggesting a possible association between HDM sensitivity and a subgroup of CU [13], [14], [15], [16], [17], [18], [19], [20]. However, the prevalence of sensitization to HDM and the positive rate of ASST vary in different studies from different countries.…”