title: [Sensitization to three species of mites in allergic patients from the coastal area of Havana city].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sensitization to three allergic mite species (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides siboney and Blomia tropicalis) from house dust in Cuba has been reported in different studies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess allergic sensitization to these mites in a north coast area of Havana city.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 210 allergic patients were selected, classified in two groups: from 1 to 14 years, and from 15 to 55 years. Skin Prick Test (SPT) was performed on all patients using standardized allergenic extracts VALERGEN-BT (B. tropicalis), VALERGEN-DS (D. siboney) and VALERGEN-DP (D. pteronyssinus) manufactured by BIOCEN, Cuba. The test was considered positive when the average wheal diameter was greater or equal to 3 mm.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both groups showed higher sensitization to D. pteronyssinus (>78%), while for the remaining mites it was below 60%. In patients older than 14 years, the sensitization was apparently higher, although not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Nevertheless, the skin reactivity in this group was significantly greater (p < 0.05) for the three allergens. Unusually, mean wheal size in both groups was significantly superior toward B. tropicalis (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In spite of being D. pteronyssinus the mite showing the highest sensitization, Blomia tropicalis showed to be also an important aeroallergen with more than 50% sensitization and greater skin reactivity. Therefore, in our population it would be advisable to perform SPT with the three mites extracts, simultaneously and to combine it in allergen-specific immunotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Alergenos, Centro Nacional de Biopreparados (BIOCEN), Bejucal, La Habana, Cuba. rcastro@biocen.cu
authors.forename: Raúl L Castro
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Almarales
authors.forename: Mirta Alvarez
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Castelló
authors.forename: Mercedes Ronquillo
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Díaz
authors.forename: José S Rodríguez
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Canosa
authors.forename: Iris García
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Gómez
authors.forename: Mayda González
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: León
authors.forename: Irene Enríquez
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Domínguez
authors.forename: Alexis Labrada
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Rosado
authors.forename: Bárbara I Navarro
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Viltre
authors.forename: Yunia Oliva
authors.initials: YO
authors.lastname: Díaz
authors.forename: Maytee Mateo
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Morejón
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000485:Allergens; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003462:Cuba / Q000453:epidemiology; D040002:Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008925:Mites / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*; D039981:Pyroglyphidae / Q000276:immunology; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012882:Skin Tests; D013045:Species Specificity; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens