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In the present work a study has been made of the prevalence of allergy to two storage mites, Tyrophagus putrescentiae and Lepidoglyphus destructor in a population of 105 young adults in the east of France. Combination of skin tests and specific IgE measurements shows that 43.10% of the subjects were sensitive to Tyrophagus and 44.95% to Lepidoglyphus. Interpretation of skin tests remains uncertain, particularly concerning the source of the allergen used and it is most often also necessary to measure the specific serum IgE. As in many studies, most sensitization was found amongst farmers. In contrast, no difference was seen between rural and city dwellers, subjects who were in contact with small animals and those in contact with food for livestock if they were not farmers, not between declared asthmatics who lived in a humid place and those who lived in an environment that was drier. Certainly these mites appeared in the present study to be much more ubiquitous than supposed previously and the fact that they seemed to be carriers of allergens and antigens that were different from those of Dermatophagoides raises the question as to whether the need for hyposensitization treatment for them has been under-estimated.

The authors discuss different in vitro tests that provide evidence for: involvement of atopy in clinical symptoms (eosinophilia, total IgE titre, histaminemia); the identification of the responsible allergen (specific IgE, basophil degranulation, and release of histamine); following the course of hyposensitization treatment (specific IgG).

The goal of this work was the study of the prevalence of allergy to two mites, Tyrophagus putrescentiae and Lepidoglyphus destructor in a population of 105 young asthmatic men from East of France. The association of skin tests and specific IgE shows that 43.10% are allergic to Tyrophagus and 44.95% to Lepidoglyphus destructor. The significance of skin tests is doubtful and depends on the laboratories which provide the allergens. Therefore, specific IgE has to be performed. As in other studies it has been observed that farmers are very often sensitized. But, nose difference has been noticed between people living in town or in country, between those having contacts with pets or not, feeding the cattle or not (except for the farmers). In the same way, no difference has been noticed between the asthmatics living in a wet country and/or wet house and those living in a dry area.