Differences in Molecular Sensitization Profiles Between Spanish and Latin American Mite-Allergic Patients.

Background and objectives: To analyze sensitization to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and to investigate the association between diagnostic findings and clinical severity in 218 allergic patients from 2 continents.

Methods: Mite-allergic patients were recruited by allergology departments in Latin America (n=88: Colombia, Costa Rica, and Guatemala) and Spain (n=130). All patients had allergic rhinitis with or without asthma and positive skin prick test results to D pteronyssinus. Specific IgE levels to D pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, Der p 1, Der p 2, and Der p 23 were quantified using ImmunoCAP (Thermo Fisher Scientific). The allergenic profile was also determined by Western blotting. A comparative statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad software.

Results: Patients most frequently recognized Der p 2 (79%), followed by Der p 1 (73%) and Der p 23 (69%). The percentage of patients with asthma increased with the number of sensitizations; however, no statistically significant differences were found. Interestingly, patients with asthma presented the highest median levels of total IgE and specific IgE for D pteronyssinus and molecular allergens, mainly Der p 2. Analysis of both populations revealed that Spanish patients were predominantly sensitized to Der p 2 (88.46%) and Der p 1 (83.84%), whereas Latin American patients were more sensitized to Der p 23.

Conclusions: Our data support the relevance of Der p 2 as the major allergen in mite allergy. A large percentage of patients are sensitized to this allergen, which plays a key role in the development of asthma. Sensitization to Der p 23 was more relevant in Latin America.