Patch test and Specific IgE Concentration with House Dust Mite Antigens in Atopic Dermatitis Patients

Park, Joon Hwan; Wang, Han Young; Sung, Ho Suk

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Recently several papers have been published dealing with positive patch reactions to house dust mite antigens in atopic dermatitis patients. The possibility that house dust mite antigens, brought in direct contact with the skin such as through the air, may contribute in the pathogenesis of the dermatitis, is an interesting aspect of the relationship between atopic dermatitis and allergic reactions.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to evaluate type-IV and type-I hypersensitivity to house dust mite antigens in atopic dermatitis patients.
METHODS
We performed the patch test and chemiluminescent assay(CLA) for house dust mite antigens in 42 patients with atopic dermatitis and 10 normal controls.
RESULTS
1. Positive reactions of the patch test in patients with atopic dermatitis were 11(26.2% ) for the Df antigen and 10(23.8%) for the Dp antigen. 2. Positive reactions of CLA in 42 patients with atopic dermatitis were 12(28.5%) for both Df and Dp antigen, but only one(10%) for both Df and Dp antigen in 10 normal controls. 3. A highly significant correlation to house dust mite antigens existed between the patch test and CLA, but some patients showed a positive reaction in the patch test despite the level of IgE which was in class 1 or 0. 4. There was no significant statistical correlation between the severity of atopic dermatitis and the positive reaction rate of both the patch test and CLA
CONCLUSION
These results suggested that in atopic dermatitis patients with positive patch test reactions to house dust mite antigens, delayed type hypersensitivity reactions to these antigens might play an important role in the development of atopic dermatitis skin lesion .