Allergenicity and Cross-Reactivity of 3 House Dust Mite Species Among Filipino Allergic Patients
John Donnie A. Ramos1,2*, Mark Paul S. Castillo1, Michelle del Rosario1,
Michelle Ann Sheela Gapay1, Tristan Perryn Go1, and Edwin G. Kamantigue1
1Department of Biological Sciences, UST College of Science and
2Research Center for the Natural Sciences, University of Santo Tomas
Manila, Philippines
ABSTRACT
The immunoglobulin E-binding activity of allergens from the house dust mite (HDM) Blomia tropicalis (Bt), Dermatophagoides farinae (Df), and Dermatopahagoides pteronyssinus (Dp) were determined using a panel of 210 allergic and 85 non-atopic Filipino subjects. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that 91%, 89%, and 86% of Filipino allergic subjects tested are sensitized with Bt, Df, and Dp allergens, respectively. Western Blot Analysis identified multiple IgE reactivities of selected patients’ sera to HDM proteins with molecular weight ranging from 10–80 kDA. Absorption assays by inhibition ELISA showed that up to 60% inhibition can be detected between the three HDM species. The results obtained in this study suggest that Bt, Dp, and Df are important HDM species in the local population causing sensitization in the majority of allergic Filipino patients tested. The incorporation of Bt, Dp, and Df allergens in the panel of diagnostic allergens for HDM allergy are highly recommended.
INTRODUCTION
Allergy is a hypersensitivity reaction initiated by immunological mechanisms characterized by the production of elevated levels of allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE). In atopic individuals, the immune system reacts inappropriately to allergens, resulting in the development of inflammatory allergic diseases such as allergic asthma (wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness), rhinoconjunctivitis (congestion, sneezing, itching, and nasal discharge), and atopic dermatitis or eczema (itching, rashes of the skin, and lesions). The worldwide incidence of allergic diseases is reaching epidemic proportions (Holgate 1999). Epidemiological studies show that 10-30 % of the world population is afflicted with allergic diseases (The ISAAC Steering Committee 1998) and the costs to public health and the economy are substantial and growing (Cookson 1999). Allergic diseases are major contributors to morbidity and mortality of the world population. Most often, allergies are caused by the immune reaction to common inhaled proteins called aero-allergens. The most frequently implicated indoor allergen sources are the house dust mites (HDM). HDM have been well recognized to play an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases (Platts-Mills & Chapman 1987).
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