Prevalence of specific IgE antibodies for Dermatophagoides farinae and six inhalants in the general population

A seroepidemiologic study of house dust allergy and pollinosis was performed among a general population aged 17 to 69 in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. The prevalence of blood containing IgE antibodies to four perennial antigens and three seasonal antigens was examined among 198 persons whose serum total IgE antibodies were above 40 IU/ml. The prevalence of blood containing IgE antibodies was from 9 to 18 percent among perennial antigens and from 6 to 30 percent among seasonal antigens. These results show that Dermatophagoides farinae, Cryptomeria japonica pollen and Anthoxanthumodoratum pollen are important antigens in this population.