Specific IgE to Four Major Storage Mites among Asthmatic Children in Taiwan

Introduction: Asthma is one of the most common allergic manifestations in Taiwan. Storage mites (SMs) are recognized as important contributors of the allergen content in house dust from indoor urban dwellings. This study investigated the difference in characteristics between subjects with and without storage mites sensitization in children with allergic asthma.Material and Method: Ninety-eight children with diagnosis of asthma were included in our study. Asthma disease severity and symptoms score were recorded. Pulmonary function test (Forced expiratory volume in one second, FEV1 and fraction of effective forced expiratory flow, FEF(subscript 25-75%)), eosinophil count and total IgE were also measured. We checked the specific IgE concentration in response to house dust mites (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae), dog dander, cat dander, cockroaches, eggwhite, milk, fish, and 4 different species of SMs: Acarus siro (A.s), Lepidoglyphus destuctor (L.d), Tyrophagus putrescentiae (T. p) and Glycyphagus domesticus (G. d).Results: The mean age of our enrolled asthmatic children was 7.7 ± 3.2 years (from 4 to 17 years). The percentage of these 98 children who had specific IgE to A.s, L.d, T.p, and G.d were 70.4%, 57.1%, 76.5%, and 56.1%, respectively. It had higher serum total IgE levels (p = 0.006), blood eosinophil counts (p = 0.031), and asthma symptom scores (p = 0.046) in children with SMs sensitization compared these without SMs sensitization on this univariape analysis. There were also increased cockroaches, and dog dander sensitization rates in children with SMs sensitization.Conclusion: Our study survey details the incidence of storage mites as they relate to asthmatic children in Taiwan. We found that the incidence of storage mites sensitivity is quite high in Taiwan asthmatic children. Therefore, this allergen needs to be paid more attentions. (J Pediatr Resp Dis 2012; 8:1-6)