Common antigenic determinants in extracts of house dust and Dermatophagoides species.

Antisera were prepared in rabbits by injection in Freund's adjuvant of extracts from a number of species of mite. Antigenic relationships were examined by geldiffusion precipitation tests. At least one, and probably two antigens were found to be common to the house dust mite, and the related species . These antigens were not detected in mites of the three other genera examined. The presence of common antigens to species would explain the high sensitivity to reported among individuals sensitive to house dust. During the examination of four antisera to house dust made in rabbits, one was found to contain a precipitin to .