Specific IgE levels to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus are associated with meteorological factors.

BACKGROUND

Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus specific IgE (sIgE) measurement is a major diagnostic test for the detection of sensitization to that allergen.

METHODS

To investigate the effect of climate on the seasonal variations of D.pteronyssinus sIgE, we studied the tests performed in an insular population during a 10-year period. The association with meteorological factors was evaluated with multiple regression analyses.

RESULTS

Of 24,879 tests performed for D. pteronyssinus sIgE, 16,719 (67.2%) were D. pteronyssinus sIgE positive; 24.5% were tested for asthma and 46.07% for rhinitis. D. pteronyssinus sIgE levels showed a seasonal pattern with an annual peak in November. In the multivariate analyses solar radiation (r = -0.94) and relative humidity (r = 0.86) were independent factors associated with D. pteronyssinus sIgE levels. The resulting model could explain 93% (p < 0.001) of D. pteronyssinus sIgE variability.

CONCLUSIONS

Our population showed a seasonal pattern of D. pteronyssinus sIgE explained by relative humidity and solar radiation.