SENSITIZATION TO BLOMIA-KULAGINI IN A GENERAL-POPULATION OF A SUBTROPICAL REGION OF SPAIN (CANARY-ISLANDS)

The Blomia genus has been described as allergenic in man. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of B. kulagini sensitization in a large population of allergic subjects without occupational exposure i n a subtropical region (Canary Islands, Spain). Secondarily, a new sta ndardized B. kulagini extract was evaluated. The study population comp rised 207 patients. RAST for B. kulagini was positive in 76.2% of pati ents, and 47 of them were selected for the biologic standardization. W hen the prick test was performed with the nonstandardized extracts, re sults were positive in 76.6%, whereas when the test was repeated with the standardized extract, sensitivity rose to 95.7%. The conjunctival provocation test was positive in 78.3% of 46 evaluated patients The br onchial provocation test was positive in 18 sensitized patients and ne gative in five controls. In conclusion, B. kulagini is an important ca use of sensitization among the occupationally unexposed population of the studied area and should be included in allergy diagnostic tests. F or reliable prick tests, the use of standardized extracts is mandatory .