title: Lack of Association Between Dust Mite Sensitivity and Atopic Dermatitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dust mites (DMs) play a role in type I respiratory allergy. Studies relating to DM irritant versus immune reactions are somewhat conflicting in atopic dermatitis (AD).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic use of patch testing to DM in patients with AD and other dermatitides.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a prospective study of 323 adults recruited in a patch testing clinic. Patch testing antigens were DM extract (0.01%, 0.1%, 1%, 10%, and 20% in petrolatum; Chemotechnique) and/or 200 index of reactivity in petrolatum (Stallergenes). Patches were placed and read at 48 hours with delayed readings after 72 to 168 hours.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no association of DM positivity with AD, asthma, hay fever, or demographic factors. There was no association of DM positivity with the clinical diagnosis or phenotype. The number of positive (+, ++, and +++) and doubtful reactions to Chemotechnique DM extract increased with higher concentrations. Positive reactions to DM had a morphological appearance characterized by numerous discrete erythematous papules and, rarely, papulovesicles. Positive reactions to Stallergenes DM 200 IR were infrequent and all weak reactions, similar to DM 0.01%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patch testing to DM does not seem to have clinical use for determining the etiology of dermatitis.
authors.affiliation: From the *Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; †Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR; and ‡Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center, Vancouver, WA.
authors.forename: Jonathan Ian
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Silverberg
authors.forename: Jon M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hanifin
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Law
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Frances J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Storrs
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010328:Patch Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D039981:Pyroglyphidae / Q000276:immunology; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology