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Background:
Atopic dermatitis
(AD) is a complex
disease caused by
genetic and
environmental
interactions. AD
impairs skin barrier
function, enabling
microorganisms to
penetrate and
interact with the
immune system.
Objectives:
This study aimed to
investigate the
presence of specific
immunoglobulin (Ig)
E antibodies to the
yeast species
Candida pelliculosa,
Candida
guilliermondii,
Candida famata,
and Rhodotorula
rubra in the
sera of AD patients
and to evaluate
possible
cross-reactivity
between yeasts and
allergens of
Dermatophagoides
pteronyssinus (D1)
and Dermatophagoides
farinae (D2).
Methods: We
analyzed serum
samples from 14
healthy individuals
and 34 AD patients:
19 were positive to
D1 and D2 (Immulite)
and 15 were
negative.
Determinations were
made using
enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay
(ELISA), competitive
ELISA, and the
Immulite inhibition
assay.
Results: The
results of ELISA
showed that all
house dust
mitepositive sera
had specific IgE
antibodies to the
yeast species
tested: 42% of these
sera reacted with
all 4 yeast species.
The inhibition study
demonstrated partial
cross-reactivity
between IgE class
antibodies with the
yeast species. This
finding indicates
that different
Candida species and
R rubra have
species-specific and
cross-reactive
antigens with
partially
overlapping epitopes,
thus suggesting
cross-reactivity
with mite allergens.
C pelliculosa
protein extract
inhibited IgE
binding to D1
(63.4%) and D2 (71%)
allergens. The
inhibition value for
D1 showed a
significant
correlation with the
inhibition value for
D2 (r=0.669,
P=.03;
Spearman rank
correlation).
Conclusion:
The results of the
present study
suggest that C
pelliculosa and
house dust mites
share common
antigens.
Key words:
Atopic dermatitis.
Candida
species.
Rhodotorula
species.
Dermatophagoides
pteronyssinus.
Dermatophagoides
farinae.
Allergens. |
