Sensitization to non-pyroglyphid mites in urban population of Croatia

Determination of prevalence of sensitization to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae (pyroglyphid mites), Lepidoglyphus destructor, and Tyrophagus putrescentiae (non-pyroglyphid mites) in urban continental Croatia.

Specific IgE (sIgE) and skin prick test (SPT) for D. pteronyssinus, D. farinae, L. destructor, and T. putrescentiae were performed in 67 men. SPT was performed with Epipharm-ALK allergens. A urtica (D+d)/2 of 3 mm or greater was considered a positive skin reaction. SIgE was measured by immunoCAP technology (UNI CAP). Values <0.35 kUA/L were considered nonspecific and >0.35 kUA/L increased.

The prevalence of subjects with positive SPT was 35.8% for T. putrescentiae, 26.8% for L. destructor (26.8%), and 22. 4% for D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae. The prevalence of increased sIgE for D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae was 23.9%, followed by T. putrescentiae (22.4%), and L. destructor (14.9%). Among subjects with increased IgE to D. pteronyssinus there were also increased IgE for D. farinae in 94%, for T. putrescentiae in 75%, and for L. destructor in 50%. Mean urtica diameter differed only for L. destructor between nonspecific and increased sIgE values in subjects with positive SPT (3.7+/-0.7 mm vs. 6.2+/-2.8 mm; p = 0.004). Sensitization to storage mites was accompanied by respiratory symptoms in similar proportions as that to house dust mites (51.8% and 54.5%, respectively; p = 0.8527).

Sensitization to non-pyroglyphid mites is present in the general urban population of Croatia in similar proportions as to pyroglyphid mites, with the same range of respiratory symptoms. Testing with storage mites should be considered routine allergological diagnostic procedure.