Analysis of the IgE- and IgG-reactivity profiles of asthmatic and non-asthmatic HDM-allergic patients using the ISAC microarray system

Results HDM-allergic individuals suffering from asthma showed striking differences regarding their IgE reactivity profiles compared to the non-asthmatic group. First, the frequency of IgE reactivity to the tested HDM allergens was up to 3fold higher in the asthmatic than in the non-asthmatic group. Seventy percent of the asthmatics reacted with 3 to 6 of the tested allergens compared to only 45% in the nonasthmatic group. Furthermore, IgE-levels to nDer p 1, rDer p 2, rDer p 5 and rDer p 23 were significantly higher in the asthmatic group. In contrast, HDM-allergic asthma patients showed a lower IgG-binding frequency to the seven HDM allergens than HDM-allergic patients without asthma. Conclusion The IgE and IgG reactivity profiles to HDM allergens differ considerably in patients with mild (i.e., rhinitis) and severe (i.e., asthma) respiratory symptoms due to HDM allergy.