Anti-Dermatophagoides farinae type I and II IgE antibodies in allergic rhinitis

ABSTRACTSera from 27 patients with mite-sensitive allergic rhinitis, without atopic dermatitis and bronchial asthma, were examined for anti-Der f I and anti-Der f II IgE antibody contents by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Anti-Der f I and anti-Der f II IgE antibody levels were 14.78 ± 1.34 and 32.68 ± 0.88 ng/mL (mean ± SEM), respectively. The anti-Der f II IgE antibody was predominant over the anti-Der f I IgE antibody in these patients.In comparison with the results of a previous study the present study indicates that the ratio between serum anti-Der f I and II IgE antibodies in patients with allergic rhinitis indicated the same pattern as in that of patients with bronchial asthma, while the inverse was the case in patients with atopic dermatitis.These results indicate that immunological features and major allergen molecules could be different in different atopic diseases. At present it is not clear where this difference comes from, but the route of immunological sensitization (via respiratory tract vs via skin) might result in the difference