Dermatophagoides microceras
Summary
D. microceras is a part of the Pyroglyphidae family of house dust mites, which are commonly found in houses on carpets and fabric covered furniture. Sensitization to house dust mites is one of the most common causes of respiratory allergy in the world and has been consistently found to be one of the strongest associates of asthma in children, adolescents, and adults. Approximately 20% of the population in industrialized countries have a sensitization to house dust mite allergens, with D. microceras being the third most-common culprit. The main allergen responsible for D. microceras allergy is suspected to be Der m 1.
Epidemiology
Worldwide distribution
Approximately 20% of the population in industrialized countries has a sensitization to house dust mite allergens. D. microceras was the second most common mite identified in Scandinavian dust from a variety of environments; it appears to be more commonly found in the Northern hemisphere, at high latitudes. House dust mite allergy and the importance of D. microceras were characterized in study of Swedish children between the ages of 3 and 17. In another Swedish study of 111 asthmatic children, 67% of patients with IgE against house dust mites reacted to D. microceras, D. farina and D. pteronyssinus. In other parts of the world, 500 dust samples collected from 125 houses of allergic rhinitis and asthmatic patients living in Punjab, India, 466 (93.2%) were found to be mite positive. Of those, D. microceras was found to be the 3rd most common mite (82.4% incidence), behind D. pteronyssinus (96.8%) and D. farinae (93.6%). These results are consistent with a 2006 study, which found a similar prevalence amongst allergy-causing mites in Taiwan.
Clinical Relevance
Mites are the sources of potent allergens that sensitize and induce IgE-mediated allergic reactions. House dust mite allergen exposure is a major risk factor for the development of persistent allergic respiratory diseases, such as asthma and allergic rhinitis, as well as symptoms such as dermatitis and urticaria. Despite this, specific studies of allergy due D. microceras are rarely reported.
A study of environmental exposures on allergen sensitization and the development of childhood allergic diseases in 3,192 children in Taiwan, mite sensitization was associated with significant increases in the risks of atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and asthma. A study of house dust mite sensitization in Sweden, including D. microceras species, reported that in children sensitized to house dust mites (n=53) vs. non-house dust mite-sensitized atopic children (n=54), asthma was significantly more common in the house dust mite-sensitized group. House dust mite allergens were found in 40% and 19% of the dust samples of the sensitized group and atopic group, respectively.
Prevention And Therapy
Prevention strategies
Several dust mite avoidance measures have been proposed, including mattress and pillow encasings, high efficiency particulate air filtration vacuum cleaners, air purification, acaricides, humidity control, and physical removal of mite reservoirs. The most common strategies that have been used to control domestic allergen exposure are physical barriers such as covers for pillows, duvet, and mattresses.
Cross-Reactivity
A degree of cross-reactivity between allergens of Pyroglypidae mite species has been shown. Using inhibition experiments, scientists showed that the N-terminus of the D. siboney allergens Der s 1, -2 and -3 share higher homologies with allergens of D. microceras and D. farinae compared to D. pteronyssinus. In another study which used sera of mite-sensitized patients, the results showed that 21 of 29 IgE binding protein bands were shared by 5 mite species, suggesting that human IgE may preferentially bind to cross reactive epitopes. A homolog of the D. pteronyssinus antigen Der p 42 was identified in cultures of D. microceras and D. farinae. Antibody binding experiments also showed that the D. microceras and D. farinae antigens shared an epitope. Additionally, there is evidence suggesting that D. microceras allergens are cross reactive with galacto-oligosaccharides, a milk supplement, possibly causing allergic reactions and anaphylactic responses.
References
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