In vivo and in vitro allergenicity of the domestic mite Chortoglyphus arcuatus.

BACKGROUND

Chortoglyphus arcuatus is frequently identified in mattress dust samples in coastal areas of northern Spain.

OBJECTIVES

To establish the prevalence of positive skin test reactions to C. arcuatus and to analyze its allergenicity and cross-reactivity.

METHODS

One hundred thirty-eight consecutive patients entered the study. The main referred symptoms were rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma. Skin tests were performed with extracts of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Lepidoglyphus destructor, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, C. arcuatus, and Glycyphagus domesticus. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay inhibition experiments were conducted with the different mite species and immunoblots with serum samples from 31 sensitized patients. Conjunctival provocation tests were performed in 10 patients with C. arcuatus-positive skin test reactions and in 9 with negative results; all the patients had positive skin test reactions to D. pteronyssinus.

RESULTS

The prevalence of positive skin test reactions to D. pteronyssinus was 94.2% and to C. arcuatus was 58%. There was a significant correlation between the number of mites to which patients were sensitized and the time of disease evolution (P = .02). Results of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay inhibition experiments suggested minimal cross-reactivity between C. arcuatus and D. pteronyssinus. Immunoblot results confirmed specific IgE binding to several bands. Conjunctival test results were positive in 9 of 10 C. arcuatus-positive individuals and slightly positive in 2 of 9 C. arcuatus-negative, D. pteronyssinus-positive individuals.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a high prevalence of sensitization to C. arcuatus in northern Spain. Sensitization to this species should be considered of clinical significance. There is minimal cross-reactivity between C. arcuatus and D. pteronyssinus.