Use of a chimeric ELISA to investigate immunoglobulin E antibody responses to Der p 1 and Der p 2 in mite‐allergic patients with asthma, wheezing and/or rhinitis

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Abstract
Sensitization to indoor allergens, particularly to dust mites, is a strong risk factor for asthma in children and adults. Assessment of sensitization is carried out using in vivo and in vitro tests to detect specific IgE antibodies. To investigate IgE antibody responses to mites in patients with asthma, wheezing and/or rhinitis, using chimeric ELISA to measure specific IgE antibodies to mite allergens Der p 1 and Der p 2. Specific IgE antibodies to Der p 1 and Der p 2 were quantified by chimeric ELISA, and compared with IgE to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dpt) measured using the CAP system (Pharmacia). A panel of sera from 212 patients with asthma, wheezing and/or rhinitis and 11 controls was analysed. There was a significant correlation between IgE to Dpt measured by CAP and IgE to Der p 1 (r = 0.81, P < 0.001), Der p 2 (r = 0.79, P < 0.001) and combined Der p 1 and Der p 2 (r = 0.86, P < 0.001). Seventy per cent of all patients had IgE to Dpt, and of those, 76.5% had IgE to Der p 1, 79.2% had IgE to Der p 2 and 83.1% had IgE to Der p 1 and Der p 2 combined. Considering the cut-off level of 2 IU/mL of IgE to either Der p 1 or Der p 2, the predictive value for a positive IgE to Dpt by CAP was greater than 95%. The chimeric ELISA allowed accurate quantification of IgE antibodies to Dpt allergens Der p 1 and Der p 2, and it could be useful for studying immune responses to mites in patients with asthma and/or rhinitis.