IGG AND IGE ANTIBODY-RESPONSES TO DUST-MITE ALLERGENS AMONG CHILDREN WITH ASTHMA IN BRAZIL

We compared exposure and levels of IgE and IgG antibodies to inhalant allergens in 20 children with asthma and positive skin tests to Dermat ophagoides pteronyssinus, living in Sao Paulo, to 20 control children without history of asthma or allergy and negative skin tests to D. pte ronyssinus, D. farinae, and Blomia tropicalis. In 16/20 and 17/20 hous es of asthmatic and control children, respectively, at least one sampl e was obtained which contained > 10 mug Der p I/g of dust. Serum IgE a ntibodies to D. pteronyssinus and Blomia tropicalis were > 200 RAST U/ mL in 19120 and in 16/20 asthmatic children, respectively. In the cont rol group, IgE antibodies to either mite species were < 40 RAST U/mL i n most cases. IgG anti-Der p I and anti-Der f I antibodies were detect ed in 17/20 asthmatics, as opposed to 3/20 controls. Neither cat nor c ockroach allergens caused significant sensitization among asthmatic or control children. Although exposure to high levels of mite allergens was common in Sao Paulo, significant IgE and IgG antibody responses we re detected only in children with asthma.