title: Prevalence of sensitization to Blomia tropicalis among young adults in a temperate climate.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are no previous population-based studies assessing the prevalence of Blomia tropicalis (BT). This investigation analyzes the prevalence of sensitization to BT and its contribution to asthma and related diseases among young adults in the Canary Islands.
  
  
  METHODS
  From a random sample of 9506 adults, aged between 20 and 44, who had previously answered a short respiratory questionnaire, a further 20% random sample was drawn. All participants filled in an extensive questionnaire, and they underwent spirometry and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) test and skin testing to several allergens as well as the determination of total IgE and specific IgE.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of positive skin tests to BT was 13.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 10.6-17.9%) and that of BT-specific IgE 17.9% (95% CI 14.2-24.5%). Sensitization to BT (positive skin tests or positive specific IgE) was 20.9% (95% CI 16.9-25.5%). Most of the subjects sensitized to BT were also sensitized to Dermatophagoides pteronissimus; however, only 7% displayed monosensitization to BT. Among subjects who exhibited BHR, sensitization to BT reached 46.7% (95% CI 32.7-60.9%), among those with asthma 50% (95% CI 26.8-73.2%), in subjects with rhinitis 37.2% (95% CI 28.1-47.6%), and in those suffering from dermatitis 25.9% (95% CI 18.7-34.5%). A strong association of BT sensitization with BHR and asthma before and after 15 years was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of sensitization to BT among young adults in the Canary Islands is high, and it displays a close relationship with allergic respiratory diseases and dermatitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonology, University of Las Palmas, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain. gjserda@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Juliá-Serdá
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cabrera-Navarro
authors.forename: Orlando
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Acosta-Fernández
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Martín-Pérez
authors.forename: Miguel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: García-Bello
authors.forename: Josep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Antó-Boqué
mesh_terms: D000053:Acari / Q000276:immunology*; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D002980:Climate; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D040002:Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus / Q000276:immunology; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D012882:Skin Tests; D012907:Smoking; D013030:Spain
chemical_list: D007073:Immunoglobulin E