Insects as inhalant allergens.

The importance of insect dust as inhalant allergen (e.g. locust, cockroach, mite, butterfly, bee, fly, etc.) is frequently underestimated as a cause of allergic conjunctivitis, rhinitis and bronchial asthma. The high allergenic potency of insect dust is demonstrated in cases of occupational allergy against locust. This dust is an obligatory sensitizing agent depending upon the degree of exposure and the potency of the allergen irrespective of constitutional factors. No doubts exist any more about the importance of house-dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) as an inhalative allergen. Allergy analysis should be extended also to these insect allergens especially in unclarified cases of perennial and particularly seasonal bronchial asthma or its "equivalents" (atopic rhinitis and conjunctivitis).