Sensitization to non-pyroglyphid mites in urban population of Croatia

Aim. Determination of prevalence of sensitization to Dermatophagoides ptero nyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae (pyroglyphid mites), Lepidoglyphus destr uctor: and Tyrophagus putrescentiae (non-pyroglyphid mites) in urban contin ental Croatia. Methods. Specific IgE (sIgE) and skin prick test (SPT) for D, pteronyssinus , D, farinae, L. destructor, and T. putrescentiae were performed in 67 men. SPT was performed with Epipharm-ALK allergens. A urtica (D + d)/2 of 3 mm or greater was considered a positive skin reaction. SIgE was measured by im munoCAP technology (UNI CAP). Values <0.35 kU(A)/L were considered nonspeci fic and >0.35 kU(A)/L increased. Results. The prevalence of subjects with positive SPT was 35.8% for T: putr escentiae, 26.8% for L. destructor (26.8%), and 22.4% for D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae. The prevalence of increased sIgE for D, pteronyssinus and D . farinae was 23.9%, followed by T. putrescentiae (22.4%), and L. destructo r (14.9%). Among subjects with increased IgE to D. pteronyssinus there were also increased IgE for D, farinae in 94%, for T. putrescentiae in 75%, and for L. destructor in 50%. Mean urtica diameter differed only for L, destru ctor between nonspecific and increased sIgE values in subjects with positiv e SPT (3.7 +/- 0.7 mm vs. 6.2+/-2.8 mm; p=0.004). Sensitization to storage mites was accompanied by respiratory symptoms in similar proportions as tha t to house dust mites (51.8% and 54.5%, respectively; p = 0.8527). Conclusion. Sensitization to non-pyroglyphid mites is present in the genera l urban population of Croatia in similar proportions as to pyroglyphid mite s, with the same range of respiratory symptoms. Testing with storage mites should be considered routine allergological diagnostic procedure.