Identification of allergens in Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus mite body extract by crossed radioimmunoelectrophoresis with two different rabbit antibody pools.

An extract of purified Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus mite bodies was investigated by crossed radioimmunoelectrophoresis (CRIE), using sera from 29 mite-allergic patients. Two CRIE series consisting of rabbit antibodies to (1) whole mite culture and to (2) purified mite bodies were run simultaneously, showing 27 and 29 precipitates, respectively. Cases of major discrepancy between the two series were ascribed to absence of antibody to allergenic components and to artefactual radiostaining due to inclusion of allergen in precipitates representing other antigens. Carefully performed controls were necessary to establish the reliability of CRIE. Specific response patterns in the studied set of sera were found to several of the represented antigens. Two major allergens appeared in both CRIE systems. Two intermediate and several minor allergens were further identified.