House dust and mite sensitivity were evaluated in 24 house dust-allergic children by comparing clinical history, scratch testing, skin window eosinophilia, and leukocyte histamine release. Allergy to mites was found in almost all house dust-allergic children. Mite extracts were 100 to 1,000 times as allergenic as house dust extracts on a weight basis. The three tests were usually all positive. In vivo skin window eosinophilia may be useful in ruling out false-positive skin tests. In vitro leukocyte histamine release is useful in quantitating house dust allergic sensitivity. Skin testing still remains a reliable method of screening for house dust and mite sensitivity as causes of asthma in children.
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Joseph D. Bullock (1972) studied this question.