Cutaneous sensitivity to Chortoglyphus arcuatus and Glycyphagus domesticus in Spain

RATIONALE: The mites Chortoglyphus arcuatus and Glycyphagus domesticus are frequently identified in mattress dust samples in coastal areas of Northern Spain. The objective of this study was to establish the prevalence of positive skin tests to C. arcuatus and G. domesticus in allergic patients. METHODS: A total of 138 consecutive patients (mean age 23.9 ± 13 years; mean age at the beginning of symptoms, 15.8 ± 11.7 years and a mean time of evolution of 7.4 ± 5.2 years) were entered in the study. The main referred symptoms were rhinoconjunctivitis and/or asthma. Skin tests were conducted with the following mite extracts: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Lepidoglyphus destructor, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, C. arcuatus and G. domesticus. RESULTS: The prevalence of positive skin tests to D. pteronyssinus was 94.2%; to G. domesticus: 89,6%, to L. destructor 89,1%; to T. putrescentiae: 87% (1 exclusively sensitized to this species) and to C. arcuatus 58%, (2 exclusively sensitized to this species). A significant correlation was detected among sensitizations to D. pteronyssinus, G. domesticus, T. putrescentiae and L. destructor (p < 0.05). There was no significant correlation between sensitization to C. arcuatus and to the other mites. There was a significant correlation between the number of mites to which the patients were sensitized and the time of evolution of the disease (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There is a high prevalence of sensitization to G. domesticus y C. arcuatus in Northern Spain, and in areas where these species are endemic. Sensitization to these species should be considered where these species have been described.