<i>Dermatophagoides farinae</i> (Der f 1) and <i>Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus</i> (Der p 1) Allergen Exposure among Subjects Living in Uberlândia, Brazil

Abstract

Background: The role of mite allergen exposure in sensitization and development of asthma has been widely recognized. Previous studies have shown that Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Blomia tropicalis were the most prevalent house dust mites in Brazil, while D. farinae was rarely found. The aim of this study was to measure Der f 1 and Der p 1 allergen levels in Brazilian asthmatics’ and controls’ homes. Methods: Sixty-four houses (32 asthmatic, 32 control) were visited for dust sampling from five sites. Der f 1 and Der p 1 levels were measured by two-site monoclonal-antibody-based ELISAs. Results: The highest levels of Der f 1 and Der p 1 allergens were found in bedding samples from both asthmatics’ and controls’ homes. However, the geometric mean of Der f 1 levels (15.8 μg/g of dust) was significantly higher than for Der p 1 (8.2 μg/g of dust) in these samples. In addition, allergen levels ≥10 μg/g of dust were found in 60–80% of the samples for Der f 1 and about 50% for Der p 1. Conclusions: These results indicate that high levels of Der f 1 allergen are present in both asthmatics’ and controls’ homes, in contrast to previously reported data. Therefore, studies on exposure to mites should be performed in different cities, seasons and times, since the mite fauna might be subject to variations. Knowledge of the mite fauna will certainly improve the means of investigating the association between allergen exposure and sensitization, allowing to establish the inclusion of new mite extracts in inhalant skin test sets, and even to detect monosensitized patients with respiratory allergy.

Avaliação de atopia em crianças respiradoras bucais atendidas em centro de referência

“…This result concurs with that of other studies carried out in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. 13,17 Simultaneous sensitization to the three types of mites was quite frequent in our study, which may mean crossreaction or specific sensitization. 13 Sensitization to cockroaches has been widely investigated nowadays, especially in populations with a low socioeconomic level.…”

Evaluation of atopy among mouth-breathing pediatric patients referred for treatment to a tertiary care center

“…Como era esperado, houve uma preponderância grande dos ácaros (principalmente D. pteronyssinus e D. farinae), sendo que os demais alérgenos tiveram um pequeno grau de positividade. Esse resultado está em concordân-cia com outros estudos realizados em Minas Gerais 13,17 .…”

Diversidade da exposição alergênica: implicações na obtenção da eficácia do controle ambiental

“…29 In Uberaba, samples for analyzing mite allergens were taken from sofa and bed surfaces (mattresses, bedspreads and pillows) in 60 households in two separate periods (March and July). Higher levels were found in March in these samples; Der f 1 levels were 31.7 μg/g dust in beds and 8.3 μg/g dust on sofas.…”

“…Sampling included 124 houses, 5 movie theater rooms, 20 hotels, 60 private vehicles, 120 interstate passenger buses, 60 taxis and 60 school children transport vans. [29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36] After obtaining approval from participants, dust samples were collected in each site by a portable aspirator onto which a paper filter had been adapted to retain the dust. Dust was then placed in a plastic bag and identified; storage was at 4°C before allergens were extracted.…”