SENSITIZATION TO DERMATOPHAGOIDES SIBONEY, BLOMIA-TROPICALIS, AND OTHER DOMESTIC MITES IN ASTHMATIC-PATIENTS

Mite species adapted to warm, humid climates are commonly found in hou se dust in the tropics. In Cuba, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, D. si boney, and Blomia tropicalis are the most common and abundant mite spe cies in house dust. To investigate the pattern of sensitization of Cub an asthmatic patients to common mite species, we skin-prick-tested (SP T) 148 patients with a clinical history of asthma and possible mite al lergy, and determined specific IgE antibodies against mite allergens ( D. pteronyssinus, D. farinae, D. siboney, B. tropicalis, Acarus sire, Lepidoglyphus destructor, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, and Glycyphagus do mesticus). The prevalence of positive SPT was high to D. siboney (88%) , D. pteronyssinus (87%), A. sire (85%), B. tropicalis (85%), and D. f arinae (83%). The largest skin reactions were obtained with D. siboney and B. tropicalis extracts. The skin test response to the D. siboney extract correlated to those of D. farinae, D. pteronyssinus, B. tropic alis, and A. sire. The highest IgE levels were found to Dermatophagoid es species and B. tropicalis. IgE to D. siboney and B. tropicalis were found in 97% and 96% of the patients, respectively. The prevalence of specific IgE to the other mites studied varied from 46 to 65%. D. sib oney and B. tropicalis are important sensitizers among asthmatic patie nts in Cuba.