House dust mite allergen extract (HDM allergen extract)

House dust mite allergen extract is a standardized mixture of allergenic proteins derived from the mites Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae (FDA, 2017). These proteins, including major allergens like Der p 1 and Der f 2, serve as the immunologic targets for allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT), a treatment designed to modify the underlying cause of allergic disease rather than just managing symptoms (Moingeon, 2013). The extract is primarily indicated for patients with perennial allergic rhinitis or allergic asthma who have confirmed IgE-mediated sensitivity to house dust mites (Bousquet et al., 2019). The therapeutic mechanism involves the induction of peripheral T-cell tolerance and the expansion of regulatory T cells (Tregs), which suppress the Th2-driven inflammatory response (Calderon et al., 2012). Additionally, the treatment promotes the production of allergen-specific IgG4 antibodies, which act as blocking antibodies to prevent the binding of allergens to IgE on mast cells and basophils (StatPearls, 2023). While effective, the use of these extracts carries a risk of systemic allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, necessitating careful patient selection and monitoring.

Other names

House dust mite allergenHDM extractDermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae allergen extractHouse dust mite allergen mixture

Induction of peripheral T-cell tolerance, promotion of regulatory T cells (Tregs), and shifting the immune response from a Th2-mediated allergic profile to a Th1-mediated or regulatory profile, often accompanied by an increase in allergen-specific IgG4 antibodies.