T-cell sensitization to epitopes from the house dust mites Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Euroglyphus maynei.

Background: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Euroglyphus maynei frequently occur in house dust but little is known about primary sensitization to the less abundant E. maynei.

Objective: To determine the occurrence of primary sensitization to E. maynei by T-cell responses and the crossreactivity to D. pteronyssinus.

Methods: The proliferative response of peripheral blood cells to overlapping peptides from Der p 1 and Eur m 1 were measured as well as to peptides from Der f 1, an allergen not found in the study environment.

Results: The most frequent and strongest responses were to Der p 1 peptides especially in the region 105-133. However, 3/17 responders to mite peptides were stimulated predominantly by Eur m 1 peptides and a further two had their highest response to an Eur m 1 peptide. There was very little crossreactivity between Der p 1 and Eur m 1 peptides and very little response to peptides from Der f 1.

Conclusions: E. maynei group 1 allergens are a significant source of primary T-cell sensitization and have little T-cell crossreactivity with D. pteronyssinus or D. farinae.