[Nasal provocation tests with house dust mite in patients with perennial rhinitis]

The aim of this study was to evaluate a response of the upper airways mucosae to allergens house dust mite: Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. Compared were results of nasal challenge with results of skin prick tests. 87 patients with perennial rhinitis allergic to Dermatophagoides farinae and/or Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus were included. There were 58 men, 29 women, age 18-54 years, mean age 26 years. Nasal provocation tests were performed first with solvent, and next if flow rate did not change more than 20%, with Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extracts. The nasal response was evaluated with active anterior rhinomanometry. Nasal flow was measured at 15, 30 and 45 minutes after allergen challenge. There were 99% positive skin prick tests Dermatophagoides farinae and 94% positive skin prick tests Dermatopagoides pteronyssinus. Nasal provocation tests with Dermatophagoides farinae extract were positive in 63% patients and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extract--in 62% patients. Majority of nasal challenges were positive at 15th minute. There is association between skin prick tests Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoide pteronyssinus 4+ and positive nasal provocation tests with the same allergen (p < 0.05). We have found correlation between skin tests Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (correlation index = 0.58) and no correlation between nasal provocation Dermatophgoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extracts.

Nasal provocation tests are more specific than skin prick tests in patients with perennial rhinitis.