Sensitization profile to house dust mite allergens in children with allergies in Ukraine

Abstract

The purpose - to determine the profile of sensitization to house dust mite (HDM) in children of Ukraine with various allergic diseases and to analyze its age and regional characteristics.

Materials and methods. 5430 children aged from the first year to 18 years from different regions of Ukraine with allergic diseases (allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis alone or in combination) were examined. The diagnosis of allergic diseases was established according to the criteria of GINA 2019a, ARIA 2019, EAACI Atopic dermatitis guidelines. Patients were examined by molecular component enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of venous blood with the ALEX2 test system (Macro Array Diagnostics GmbH, Austria). Levels of specific IgE above 0.3 kUA/L to allergenic molecules of HDM were determined: Der f 1, Der f 2, Der p 1, Der p 2, Der p 5, Der p 7, Der p 10, Der p 11, Der p 23, Der p 20 and Der p 21.

Results. Among 5430 subjects, sensitization to HDM allergens was detected in 1705 (31.4%) children. Sensitization to HDM allergens was most often observed in school-age children (34.3-40.0% of cases; p<0.001). Sensitization to allergens of HDM was significantly more often found in children of the western region compared to the northern (χ²=171.2; p=0.001), southern (χ²=32.4; p=0.001), eastern (χ²=65.9; p=0.001) and the central (χ²=16.62; p<0.002) region of residence. The most common sensitization to Der f 1 (58.4%), Der f 2 (73.7%), Der p 1 (58.4%), Der p 2 (75.2%), Der p 23 (56.2%), and there was a high level of sensitization to the molecules Der p 5 (32.4%) and Der p 7 (22.3%).

Conclusions. Currently, the level of sensitization to allergens of HDM among children with allergy in Ukraine is on average 31.4%. Sensitization to HDM allergens was more frequent (p<0.001) in school-age children compared to preschool children - 37.0% and 24.2%, respectively. Sensitization to HDM allergens predominates among children with allergopathology living in the western regions of Ukraine (42.5% of patients) compared to the eastern, southern, central and northern regions (26.8-35.4% of children). The frequency of sensitization to major molecules of HDM in children with allergy in Ukraine is: to Der f 1 - 58.4%, to Der f 2 - 73.7%, to Der p 1 - 58.4%, to Der p 2 - 75.2%, to Der p 23 - 56.2%. For the first time, the level of sensitization to new HDM molecules in children with allergopathology in Ukraine was established: to Der p 20 - 8.2%, to Der p 21 - 27.2%.

The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee for all participants. Informed consent of patients (parents of children or their guardians) was obtained for the research.

No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.