Comparison of skin test results obtained with different dust, Dermatophagoides; Acarus siro and spider extracts

The authors describe the comparative analysis of skin tests performed in 87 asthmatic children with extracts of house dust, grain dust and different arthropodes beloging to the Arachidaegenus. Most of these patients were living in traditional agricultural environment. Reactions to the Acarus siro and grain dust (Sevac) extracts gave significant correlation, whereas house dust did not show this agreement. Extracts from spiders (Aranidae) caused often, in 40% of asthmatic children, positive skin reaction; that was the same frequency as with Dermatophagoides, nevertheless the correlation was only partial. The authours conclude that Acarus siro and antigenically related mites are the main allergizing component of grain dust; excretes of spiders display a comparable allergizing factor in house dust as do Pyroglyphid mites in this area.