Citrus red mite (Panonychus citri) may be an important allergen in the development of asthma among exposed children

Background Recent investigations have demonstrated that spider mites are im portant allergens in the development of asthma in fruit-cultivating farmers . Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitization rate to t he citrus red mite (Panonychus citri) in children living in rural areas, an d to determine the allergenic cross-reactivity with other mites. Methods A total of 7254 children (ages 7-15 years) living in rural areas we re enrolled, and each subject was evaluated by a questionnaire and a skin p rick test. Allergenic cross-reactivity was evaluated by ELISA inhibition te sts. Results The most common sensitizing allergens were house dust mites, follow ed by citrus red mite and cockroach. High serum-specific IgE bindings to th e citrus red mite were detected in 21 of 100 randomly selected subjects. Th e prevalence of asthma was higher among those with positive skin responses to the citrus red mite than with negative skin responses to this mite. ELIS A inhibition tests showed that IgE bindings to this mite were minimally inh ibited with additions of domestic mites. Conclusion Spider mites such as the citrus red mite may be important outdoo r allergens among children living in rural areas, and spider mite-derived a llergens have unique allergenic determinants compared with domestic mites.