CHARACTERIZATION OF THE ALLERGENS OF THE HOUSE-DUST MITE EUROGLYPHUS-MAYNEI

Background: The house dust mite Euroglyphus maynei inhabits homes in m any parts of the world and is the source of many allergens. Objective: The purpose of this study was to biochemically and immunologically ch aracterize the major allergens of E. maynei. Methods: Proteins in an e xtract of E. maynei were separated into 20 fractions by using preparat ive isoelectric focusing. Most proteins and allergens were contained i n fractions 7 to 17 with pH of 4.8 to 8.0. The fractions were further characterized by nonreducing sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting with the serum of 16 individuals se nsitive to E. maynei. Results: Molecular weights and isoelectric point s were assigned to 47 IgE-binding proteins in an E. maynei extract, an d the frequency of IgE binding to each allergen was determined. Twenty -two of the allergens were recognized by more than 50% of the 16 sera, and all but one of the subjects had IgE that bound to more than 10 al lergens (range, 0 to 32). One of the proteins was identified as the al lergen fur m 2. Conclusion: E. maynei is the source of at least 47 ind ividual allergens that have been characterized by molecular weight, is oelectric point, and IgE-binding properties.