Sensitization to mite allergens and acute asthma in a tropical environment

The objective of this study was to determine whether sensitization to certain aeroallergens is associated with acute asthma in Cartagena, Colombia. Ninety-nine subjects with acute asthma and 100 controls evaluated for other reasons were studied at a local emergency room. Sensitization was established by specific IgE determinations. Statistically significant differences between asthmatic subjects and controls were found in the prevalence of specific IgE to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, 64.6% vs. 28% (p = 0.0001); to Dermatophagoides farinae, 74.7% vs. 40% (p = 0.0001); to Euroglyphus maynei, 68.7% vs. 22% (p = 0.0001); and to Blomia tropicalis, 54.5% vs. 17% (p = 0.0001). The odds ratios were 4.9; 4.4; 7.7 and 5.8, respectively. In contrast, there was no significant difference between subjects with asthma and controls in the prevalence of specific IgE to Alternaria tenuis: 4% vs. 1% (p = 0.35); to Paspalum notatum (Bahia grass): 28% vs. 19% (p = 0.16); to Periplaneta americana (American cockroach): 21% vs. 19% (p = 0.83); to Ambrosia artemisifolia (short ragweed): 12% vs. 23% (p = 0.11); and to cat epithelium: 5% vs. 1% (p = 0.17). The results suggest that sensitization to domestic mites in subjects who reside in this tropical city is associated with acute asthma that requires emergency room treatment.