Seasonal variation of IgG subclass antibodies to house dust mite in sera from mite-sensitive asthmatic patients.

BACKGROUND

House dust mite is an important cause of bronchial asthma. Seasonal variation of environmental house dust mite allergen levels and the specific IgE antibody to house dust mite have been reported.

OBJECTIVE

We studied the changes in IgG subclass antibodies to house dust mite associated with seasonal variation of house dust mite allergen levels in houses of mite-sensitive asthmatic patients.

METHODS

In 14 mite-sensitive asthmatic patients, house dust mite allergen (Der f 1) contents in bedding were measured monthly, and IgG subclass antibodies to house dust mite, Dermatophagoides farinae (D. farinae), were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) every 3 months from July to December.

RESULTS

The concentration of Der f 1 in dust from bedding reached maximum levels in August and September, and significantly decreased in November and December compared with August and September (P < .05). Levels of D. farinae-specific IgG4 antibodies significantly decreased in December compared with September (P < .05) with no statistically significant change between September and June (P > .05). Levels of D. farinae-specific IgG2 antibodies decreased significantly in December compared with June (P < .05). The levels of IgG1 and IgG3 antibodies to D. farinae showed no significant differences during the study period.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that seasonal changes in natural exposure to house dust mite allergen might lead to concurrent changes in specific IgG4 antibodies to house dust mite in mite-sensitive asthmatic patients and each IgG subclass antibodies to house dust mite might have a different kinetics.