Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.  2007 Dec;27(4):263-267.

Sensitization Rate to Tetranychus Urticae and House Dust Mite in Patients Who Visited the Allergy Clinic With Allergic Diseases in Busan Area

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Recently, it has been demonstrated that the sensitization rate to two spotted mite (TSM, Tetranychus urticae) is as high as that to house dust mite (HDM) in respiratory allergy patients in the middle part of Korean peninsula. However, there are no published data on the sensitization rate to TSM in southern area of Korean peninsula.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to evaluate the sensitization rate to TSM in patients with allergic diseases in Busan area. METHOD: Skin prick tests were performed with 49 common inhalant allergens and TSM extracts on 519 patients with various allergic diseases between March 2005 and June 2007. We evaluated clinical characteristics and the sensitization rate to various inhalant allergens including TSM. RESULT: The sensitization rate to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (49.3%) was highest, followed by D. farinae (44.9%), TSM (32.9%), birch (17.0%) and mugwort (16.0%). Forty (7.7%) patients were sensitized to TSM only.
CONCLUSION
TSM was the second most common sensitized allergen in patients visiting the allergy clinic in Busan area. These results suggest that TSM might be an important outdoor allergen in Korean peninsula.

MeSH Terms

Allergens
Artemisia
Betula
Busan*
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus
Dust*
Humans
Hypersensitivity*
Mites
Pyroglyphidae*
Skin
Allergens
Dust