IgE antibodies to house dust mite in patients with scabies

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Of 135 patients with scabies, 47 (35%) had a positive (classes 1-4) radioallergosorbent test (RAST) to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (DP). Elevated serum IgE concentrations were found in 61 (45%) of the patients. Atopic disease was confirmed in 28 (23%) of the 120 patients who completed a medical questionnaire. In a control group, well-matched for age and sex, of 201 employees at a local bank, only 4 (2%) had a positive RAST to DP, and 8 (4%) had raised serum IgE levels. Atopic disease was confirmed in 18 (9%) of them. Apparently scabies infection stimulates the production of IgE antibodies, even in non-atopic individuals, and may suggest that IgE antibodies against the human pathogenic mite Sarcoptes scabiei cross-react with DP. Scabies infection seems to be associated with atopic disease.