Monomorium pharaonis ant (pharaoh ant) is an important inhalant allergen in young and middle-aged adult patients with bronchial asthma

초록

Background: The nonstinging house ant, Monomorium pharaonis (pharaoh ant), is a highly infesting species in indoor environments, and was recently identified as a cause of respiratory allergic diseases. Objectives: Clinical and immunologic studies were performed to evaluate the extent of sensitization to pharaoh ant and its clinical significance in patients with bronchial asthma. Methods: Pharaoh ants were collected at the patients’ homes, and crude extracts were prepared. Skin prick tests with common aeroallergens and pharaoh ant extracts were performed in 318 young and middle-aged adult patients with bronchial asthma. Specific bronchial provocation testing was performed using pharaoh ant extracts. Results: On skin prick tests, house dust mites (HDMs) were the leading sensitizing allergens (52.8%) following cockroaches (27.4%), and cat (19.8%) allergens. Fifty-eight (18.2%) of the 318 enrolled patients showed the positive skin responses to pharaoh ant, and 25 (7.9%) had an isolated response to pharaoh ant with negative results to other common aeroallergens. Serum sIgE to pharaoh ant were detected in 50 of 58 patients with positive skin responses to pharaoh ant and 5 (10%) of 50 negative skin responders. There was significant correlation between sIgE level and skin responses (A/H ratio) to pharaoh ant in patients with positive skin responders (rho=0.552, p<0.001). The ELISA inhibition tests indicated that pharaoh ant allergens had various pattern of cross-reactivity to HDMs, cockroaches, and imported fire ants. Pharaoh ant bronchial provocation tests were conducted for 9 patients, and eight patients showed typical pattern of asthmatic reactions. Conclusions: Pharaoh ant is an important source of aeroallergen in young and middle-aged adults with bronchial asthma. It should be included in the skin test battery for screening the causative allergen in patients with bronchial asthma.