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Storage mite sensitivity affected by co-exposure to house dust mites

A high rate of polysensitization to storage mites was observed in individuals with positive skin prick test reactions to house dust mites and storage mites in a recent study.

Researchers sought to describe the pattern of sensitization and immunologic characterization of patients with positive skin prick test reactions to house dust mites (HDM) and storage mites (SM) in four areas of Spain. The areas were chosen based on high exposure to HDM and variable exposure to SM.

Among the cohort (n=169), the investigators found that in 12% of cases patients with high sensitization to SM did not have specific IgE to any SM species.

The researchers wrote that sensitization patterns mainly to Lepidoglyphus destructor exist in areas with high exposure. However, in areas with low SM populations, sensitizations observed by skin prick testing appeared to be related to HDM exposure.

Sensitization to Dermatophagoides species, Der p 2 and L. destructor were predominant, according to the researchers. Significant differences were observed among areas that were dependent on the exposure grade to SMs.

In areas with higher exposure, the SM allergogram indicated enhanced recognition of group 2 allergen.

“In areas with low exposure to SM, sensitizations observed by [skin prick testing] are not relevant and appear to be related to HDM exposure,” the investigators concluded.

Disclosure: Five of the researchers were employees of Laboratorios LETI, Spain, during the preparation of this work. The remaining researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.