HOUSE DUST MITE ALLERGY IN CALCUTTA, INDIA - EVALUATION BY RAST

A significantly elevated (above 300 U/mL) serum IgE level was found in 97 of 105 dust-sensitive asthmatic patients Of Calcutta and the mean value (1002 +/- 614 U/mL) was significantly higher (P much less than . 001) than the control sera. RAST results indicate a higher sensitivity (84.76%) to house dust and house dust mites (Dermatophagoides supp) e ither alone or in combination with each other. Among positive samples, 79.77%, 71.91%, and 88.76% showed the presence of allergen specific I gE antibodies against house dust (HD), D. pteronyssinus (DP), and D. f arinae (DF) mite antigens, respectively. The study highlighted the sup eriority of D. farinae antigen as a potent allergen in house dust of C alcutta over others and the mites and house dust possibly had a common allergen. The present investigation indicates that RAST sensitivity w as independent of age and sex of patients (P > .05). The frequency of PAST sensitivity was observed to be greater in patients suffering for longer durations.