SPECIFIC DEPLETION OF THE HOUSE-DUST MITE ALLERGEN DER-P-1 BY CEREAL FLOUR PROLAMINS

Background: Quantitation of Der 1 and Der 2 in dust samples by specifi c monoclonal antibodies is a method used increasingly to evaluate mite allergen exposure. The level of Der I has been proposed as a risk fac tor for sensitization Aim: We report a drastic deer-ease in the Der 1/ Der 2 ratio when? dust samples are collected in bakeries. Methods: I W heat pour and purified mites were extracted simultaneously: levels of Dei p 1 and Der p 2 and cysteine protease activity were determined by ELISA and inhibition experiments. Results: High titers of Der 2, but o nly, trace amounts of Der p 1, were detected in dust samples collected from bakeries. Both the level and proteolytic activity of Der p I app eared greatly decreased when mites and wheat flour were coextracted. C onclusions: Group 1 protein was found to be masked by flour components , resulting in an underestimation of the mite content in baker dust. T his problem, was not found for group 2 allergen.