Allergic sensitization to Storage Dust Mites: a prospective study of patients with respiratory allergy

Objective. To describe the prevalence of allergic sensitization to Storage Dust Mites (SDM); access whether the place of living and occupational exposure were determinants for SDM sensitization and study association between Lepidoglyphus destructor and other SDM sensitization. Methods. Prospective analysis of patients evaluated for suspected allergic rhinitis and/or asthma that performed Skin Prick Tests (SPT) to SDM between January and December 2018 in our Department. Results. Two hundred consecutive patients were evaluated for rhinitis and/or asthma in our outpatient consultation; 123 (61.5%) presented positivity for at least one SDM; 68.3% were female and the mean age was 33.1 +/- 12.12. Lepidoglyphus destructor (69.9%) was the most prevalent, followed by Tyrophagus putrescentiae (50.4%), Blomia tropicalis and Glycyphagus domesticus (48.8%) and Acarus siro (24.4%). Living in a rural place was not associated with a higher prevalence of sensitization to SDM, except for Acarus siro (p = 0.032), and working in a place with storage areas was not associated with sensitization to any of SDM. Sensitization to Lepidoglyphus destructor was associated with sensitization to Blomia tropicalis, Glycyphagus domesticus and Tyrophagus putrescentiae (p < 0.005), but not with Acarus siro. Conclusions. Our study suggests that our population, independently of their occupational exposure and place of residency, are sensitized to SDM and that evaluation of sensitization to SDM should be considered as standard practice.