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Reactivity to recombinant house-dust-mite allergens in asthma and rhinitis in a tropical environment
N R Lynch1, F A Puccio, M C Di Prisco
1Instituto de Biomedicina, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas.
Background:
House-dust mites contain components that are allergenic in mite-sensitive patients, and a number of these have been produced in recombinant form.
Methods:
In the present study, we evaluated by skin prick testing the positivity to native Der p 2 and recombinant Der p 2, Der p 5, and Der p 7 allergens of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus in patients with rhinitis, asthma, or a combination of these diseases, who were positive to whole-mite extract.
Results:
In all patients, the positivity to both native and recombinant Der p 2 was high. In patients with either rhinitis or asthma, the reactivity to Der p 5 and 7 was significantly lower than to Der p 2. However, in patients with combined disease, the positivity to the minor allergens was almost as high as that to Der p 2.
Conclusions:
These results raise the question of whether patients with combined allergic rhinitis and asthma, when compared to those with either of these diseases alone, are predisposed to react to a wider range of mite allergens, or, inversely, whether patients who respond to the minor allergens are more susceptible to suffering the combined disease.
Insights
Patients with combined allergic rhinitis and asthma show higher reactivity to minor house-dust mite allergens (Der p 5, Der p 7) compared to those with single conditions. This suggests a broader allergic response in complex cases.
Area of Science:
- Allergen immunotherapy
- Immunology
- Respiratory medicine
Background:
- House-dust mites possess allergenic components, with several now available in recombinant forms.
- Understanding specific allergen sensitization is crucial for diagnosing and managing mite allergy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess patient reactivity to specific Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergens (Der p 2, Der p 5, Der p 7) using skin prick testing.
- To compare allergen sensitization patterns in patients with allergic rhinitis, asthma, or both.
Main Methods:
- Skin prick testing was performed on patients with rhinitis, asthma, or combined disease, all previously confirmed positive to whole-mite extract.
- Evaluated positivity to native Der p 2, recombinant Der p 2, Der p 5, and Der p 7.
Main Results:
- High positivity rates were observed for both native and recombinant Der p 2 across all patient groups.
- Reactivity to Der p 5 and Der p 7 was significantly lower than Der p 2 in patients with rhinitis or asthma alone.
- Patients with combined allergic rhinitis and asthma exhibited nearly as high positivity to minor allergens (Der p 5, Der p 7) as to Der p 2.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest a potential link between sensitization to a broader range of mite allergens and the development of combined allergic rhinitis and asthma.
- Further research is needed to determine if patients with combined disease are predisposed to react to more mite allergens or if minor allergen responders are more prone to developing combined conditions.