Summary
Aims of the work – to assess and compare sensitization to house dust mites and other allergens among participants during the COVID-19 pandemic period; to assess the correlation between total IgE concentration and sensitization to house dust mites (HDM) allergens; to compare the distribution of sensitization to house dust mite allergens across age groups; to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 quarantine period on sensitization to house dust mite allergens.
Material and methods. 254 patients participated in the study. Venous blood serum samples were analyzed from March 2020 to November 2021 that to assess patients sensitization to house dust mites and other allergens. Allergen-specific IgE were determined using the quantitative enzyme immunoassay ALEX2.
Results. Among the participants with sensitization to house dust mite allergen components, 38 percent were found to be sensitized to grass pollen allergens and 38 percent to pet aller-gens. According to the study data, sensitization to the house dust mite allergen component Der f 1 was highest among children aged 1 to 8 years. In subsequent age groups, it was found in a smaller proportion of participants. The house dust mite allergen components Der p 1 and Der p 2 were detected in all age groups, while Der p 2 was identified as the predominant component in the age groups of 19 years and older. The data indicates that the main prevailing components Der f 2, Der p 2, Der p 1, Der f 1, and Der p 23 remained before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conclusions. No statistically significant correlations were detected between sensitization to HDM allergens and other allergen sources. A positive correlation was observed between sensitization to house dust mite allergen components and total IgE concentration. According to the study data, sensitization to Der f 1 is highest among children aged 1 to 8 years. Der p 1 and Der p 2 are the predominant components found in older patients. The COVID-19 quarantine period had no influence on sensitization to house dust mite allergen components.
