Sensitization to different mite species in German farmers: Clinical aspects

Various mite species referred to collectively as house dust and storage mit es are recognized worldwide as a cause of allergic airway disease. Our stud y aimed to investigate the frequency of sensitization and potential importa nce of mite species in farmers using a broad mite spectrum. A total of 86 G erman farmers with rhinitis and/or asthma were studied by skin prick testin g and/or enzyme allergosorbent test (EAST) with the following mites: Blomia tjibodas, Blomia tropicalis, Blomia kulagini, Glycyphagus domesticus, Thyr eophagus entomophagus, Euroglyphus maynei, Chortoglyphus arcuatus, Dermatop hagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, Acarus sire, Lepidoglyphu s destructor, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Acarus farris and Cheyletus eruditu s. Sensitization to at least one mite species was detected in 51 patients ( 59%) by skin prick testing, and in 31 patients (36%) by EAST The most frequ ent sensitizations determined by skin tests were found for the three Blomia species, E. maynei and G. domesticus. Twelve patients (14%) gave a positiv e EAST with the predator mite C, eruditus. A total of 22 patients gave posi tive EAST results with the Dermatophagoides species. We were able to docume nt sensitization to C, arcuatus, E. maynei and T. entomophagus for the firs t time in Germany. A considerable proportion of the German farmers tested w ere sensitized to storage mites. The allergological potential of various mi te species has been recognized, some for the first time. It was concluded t hat B. tjibodas, G. domesticus, C. arcuatus and C. eruditus in particular s hould be included in an allergy diagnosis. Further investigations into the clinical relevance of the sensitizations and possible crossreactivity betwe en the mite species are necessary.