title: Diagnostic significance of in vitro T-cell proliferative responses to house-dust mite Der p 1 in children with dust-mite allergy.
abstract: The study aimed to investigate the possible diagnostic significance of T-cell proliferative responses to purified Der p 1 antigen in allergic children with and without allergic sensitization to house-dust-mite (HDM) allergens. T-cell reactivity to purified Der p 1 antigen was analyzed in 24 children with allergic sensitization to HDM demonstrated by RAST and/or positive skin prick tests. Twelve healthy young adults and 11 children with allergic sensitizations other than HDM served as controls. Of 25 HDM-allergic patients, 16 displayed strong T-cell reactivity to Der p 1 (stimulation indices > 3): nine patients showed no T-cell proliferation despite the presence of specific IgE, and five showed no responses despite positive skin prick test. In two patients, a weak T-cell response to Der p 1 could be demonstrated in the absence of specific IgE and negative skin test result. The two affected subjects did not show evidence of mite allergy. No T-cell responses were observed in adult controls (stimulation indices < 3). We conclude that the assessment of T-cell reactivity to Der p 1 is of little value for the diagnosis of HDM allergy. The importance of T-cell proliferative responses for the study of the pathogenesis of HDM allergy remains unchallenged.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Düsseldorf, Germany.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Horneff
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schou
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Wahn
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004391:Dust; D004485:Eczema / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008925:Mites / Q000276:immunology; D011852:Radioallergosorbent Test; D012882:Skin Tests; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D004391:Dust; D006023:Glycoproteins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E