Abstract

SANTOS, Maria Conceição Pereira; SANTOS, Maria Amélia Spínola; POSTIGO, Idoia  and  MARTINEZ, Jorge. Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus major allergens quantification in sublingual immunotherapy extracts. Rev Port Imunoalergologia [online]. 2018, vol.26, n.4, pp.255-261. ISSN 0871-9721.

Background: Although the amount of major allergens present in sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) extracts is considered a crucial factor, the comparison between SLIT extracts from different manufacturers is practically impossible. Objective: To compare the concentration of mite major allergens in SLIT extracts (100% Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) from different manufacturers. Methods:We measured by ELISA-sandwich the concentrations of Der p1 and group 2 mite allergens (Der p2/Der f2) in seven SLIT mite extracts, available in Portugal. We used a 100% Phleum pretense SLIT extract as a negative control. Results: All samples showed similar concentrations of Der p1, without significant differences (p=0.115). Also for group 2 allergens we observed similar concentration in samples from 6 out of the 7 SLIT extracts. Only one manufacturer had a SLIT extract with a significantly lower concentration of mite group 2 allergens. Conclusions: Despite small variations, most mite SLIT extracts commercialized in Portugal, present similar Der p1 and Der p2/Der f2 concentrations, with just one manufacturer showing lower concentrations in these major allergens. Concentrations of group 1 mite allergens were always higher than those of group 2 allergens. These results are different from the few studies that have been published comparing SLIT mite extracts from different manufacturers, where greater differences between producers have been identified. These differences underline once again the need to harmonize the methods used for allergen quantification and demand that the different SLIT producers reveal unequivocally the composition in major allergens of their SLIT extracts.

Keywords : Allergens; Der p1; Der p2; ELISA; mites; quantification; sublingual immunotherapy.

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