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PubMedDate not supplied

[Seasonal dynamics of population of the feather mite Monojoubertia microphylla (Astigmata: Analgoidea: Proctophyllodidae) in the chaffinch Fringilla coelebs].

The seasonal dynamics of the Monojoubertia microphylla micropopulations in different sex and age groups of the chaffinch Fringilla coelebs (Passeriformes: Fringillidae) have been studied during the nest and migration periods in the North-West of Russia. Three bird groups were determined within the chaffinch population during the study: adult males, adult females, immature chaffinches. Total number of bird specimens examined--353. In all chaffinch groups, the mean mite numbers and age structure of mite micropopulations were similar during the spring migration. The number of mites gradually increased from April to May. During the nest and autumn migration periods the seasonal dynamics of M. microphylla micropopulations were quite different on adult males and females of the chaffinch, because of different roles of male and female in the process of infestation the young bird generation. On the adult chaffinch males, the mite number continued to increase during the breeding period (June) and began to decrease significantly in July because of the postbreeding plumage moult. The mite number slowly decreased in the end of summer and the autumn migration. On the adult chaffinch females, the mite number decreased abruptly during the nest period. During this period, the chaffinch female sits together with nestlings for a long time, and the great number of its mites (about 60% of mite micropopulation) moves from the female onto the nestlings. The mite micropopulation migrated onto nestling is represented mainly by males, females (about 25% each) and tritonymphs (38%). Total mite number on the chaffinch females continued to decrease in July under the influence of postbreeding moult and slightly increased up to the autumn migration only. On the young chaffinches, the number of M. microphylla quickly increased during the second part of summer. It is the result of the great quota of mite instars being ready for the reproduction (imago, tritonymphs) within the micropopulation migrated from the chaffinch female onto the nestlings. The decrease of the M. microphylla micropopulation on the young birds was observed in the autumn only. In the end autumn migration (October), the mean numbers of mites on all chaffinch groups became approximately similar, but did not reach the mean rate observed in the beginning of the spring migration. During both migration periods, the imago and all preimaginal instars of M. microphylla were active, the diapause was not observed. In the beginning of spring migration and the end of autumn migration the main part of the mite micropopulations was represented by females, while in all other periods of chaffinch's stay in the North-West of Russia the immature instars predominated.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of exposure to mite allergens; flotation, ELISA and Acarex comparative study.

House dust mites (HDM) are a major cause of allergic sensitization and airway disease. Technological advances in assays permit the measurement of major mite allergens in house dust samples more accurately. We compared the results of different methods in the assessment of exposure to domestic mites in sensitized patients. Three methods were used for mite assays on house dust samples: Mites were evaluated by microscope after flotation technique; major mite allergens. Der p l and Der f l, were determined by ELISA; the Acarex-Test was performed for the determination of guanine content. There was no significant difference between flotation and ELISA in the assessment of mite allergens. However, Acarex-Test was different from the other methods tested. being higher in skin test positive patients. We found a significant correlation between Der p l levels and mite specific immunoglobulin E determined by ELISA and CAP RAST respectively. Our findings show that mite determination by flotation method could be reinforced where the advanced methods are not available. Although the mite allergen levels measured in this study with various methods were not always in close association with house dust mite sensitization, the importance of mite-avoidance measure to house dust mites evaluated by skin tests and RAST should not be underestimated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Induction of allergic reactions in guinea pigs with purified house dust mite allergens.

To establish a guinea pig model for house dust mite allergy with purified mite allergens, we studied the immune response to two major mite allergens, native Der f 1 (nDer f 1) and recombinant Der f 2 (rDer f 2) and crude mite extract in Hartley guinea pigs. Animals were immunized with either mite extract, nDer f 1 or rDer f 2, four times at 2- to 3-week intervals. Then the guinea pigs were examined as to the status of sensitization to the sensitizing antigen. Intradermal injection of mite antigens to mite extract-, nDer f 1-, and rDer f 2-sensitized animals induced both immediate and late-phase cutaneous reactions. Allergic airway disease was also provoked by the intranasal instillation of rDer f 2 or mite extract. Anti-nDer f 1 and -rDer f 2 IgE as well as anti-mite extract IgE were produced in the sensitized guinea pigs and IgE titer for three mite antigens were comparable. We concluded that immunization of Hartley guinea pigs with nDer f 1 and rDer f 2 achieved sensitization to mite allergens, which was comparable to that obtained by the immunization with mite extract. A mite-allergic model suitable for immunological and pharmacological studies was established from rDer f 2-sensitized guinea pigs.

Allergens↗
PubMed2002

Dust-mite allergen removal from feathers by commercial processing.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with allergies or asthma have had a long-standing bias against the use of chicken, goose, and duck feather pillows, comforters, quilts, and mattresses. OBJECTIVE: We show that raw, unprocessed feathers contain dust-mite allergen that is removed by washing, and that feather pillows, whether covered or not, do not internally accumulate dust-mite allergen when used in mite-infested bedrooms over a 3-month period. METHODS: Feathers obtained from six companies as unprocessed feathers (n = 8 batches) and processed feathers (n = 16 batches) were analyzed for dust-mite (Der p 1 and Der f 1) using monoclonal antibody-based immunoenzyametric assays with appropriate internal controls. Five pairs of new feather pillows (one covered and one uncovered) were placed in five bedrooms with known dust-mite contamination for 90 days. The pillows were then assayed for mite content. RESULTS: Dust-mite allergen was detected in 7 of 8 unprocessed feather samples; combined Der p 1 and Der f 1 mean = 524 ng/g, range 152 to 1,850 ng/g, whereas all 17 manufacturer-processed feather samples contained no detectable dust-mite. Although 4 of 5 bedrooms contained significant dust-mite allergen (>2,000 ng or Der p 1 and f 1, range 2,500 to 10,300 ng/g), none of the 90-day feather pillows became contaminated by dust-mite allergen even in the absence of a pillow cover. CONCLUSIONS: Feathers washed using industrial methods do not contain detectable dust-mite allergen. Pillows manufactured with processed feathers, whether encased in a dust cover or not, do not become contaminated by dust-mite allergen after 90 days of use in environments containing significant dust-mite allergen contamination.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Mites as selective fungal carriers in stored grain habitats.

Mites are well documented as vectors of micromycetes in stored products. Since their vectoring capacity is low due to their small size, they can be serious vectors only where there is selective transfer of a high load of specific fungal species. Therefore the aim of our work was to find out whether the transfer of fungi is selective. Four kinds of stored seeds (wheat, poppy, lettuce, mustard) infested by storage mites were subjected to mycological analysis. We compared the spectrum of micromycete species isolated from different species of mites (Acarus siro, Lepidoglyphus destructor, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Caloglyphus rhizoglyphoides and Cheyletus malaccensis) and various kinds of stored seeds. Fungi were separately isolated from (a) the surface of mites, (b) the mites' digestive tract (= faeces), and (c) stored seeds and were then cultivated and determined. The fungal transport via mites is selective. This conclusion is supported by (i) lower numbers of isolated fungal species from mites than from seeds; (ii) lower Shannon-Weaver diversity index in the fungal communities isolated from mites than from seeds; (iii) significant effect of mites/seeds as environmental variables on fungal presence in a redundancy analysis (RDA); (iv) differences in composition of isolated fungi between mite species shown by RDA. The results of our work support the hypothesis that mite-fungal interactions are dependent on mite species. The fungi attractive to mites seem to be dispersed more than others. The selectivity of fungal transport via mites enhances their pest importance.

Acaridae↗
PubMed2004

[Exposure and allergy to dust mites in general and working environment in Croatia].

This paper gives a review of the most important impacts of exposure to dust mites in general and working environment on human health. The Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health in Zagreb, Croatia, has been investigating the frequency and exposure levels of allergies to pyroglyphid and non-pyroglyphid mites in Croatia for the last 10 years. Investigations were performed in general urban and rural population from the inland and coastal Croatia, and several industrial inland populations occupationally exposed to organic dusts. Mite species and levels of pyroglyphid mites allergens (Der p 1, Der f 1) were established in house dust samples taken from the floors of bedrooms and living rooms and in several industrial dust samples. The frequency of allergies to pyroglyphid mites in general urban population of inland Croatia is about 20%, with significant general indoor exposure to these mites (median value for Der p 1: 0.85 microg/g of dust). General adult population of the coastal region had a significantly higher exposure to pyroglyphid mites (median value for Der p 1: 4.5 microg/g of dust), yet showed a significantly lower frequency of allergies to these mites (about 5%). New studies are necessary to investigate possible genetic and environmental factors involved in the mechanisms which protect coastal population from the development of mite allergy. Acarological and statistical analyses have shown that the high frequency of sensitisation to non-pyroglyphid mites found in the general and working populations of the inland region is not related to environmental exposure to these mites, but to the cross-reactivity between pyroglyphid and non-pyroglyphid mites and to false positive skin reactions in prick testing, particularly to T. putrescentiae. So far, results do not indicate that pyroglyphid mites are occupational allergens in paper-recycling, fish-processing and tobacco-processing.

Allergens↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Dust-mites: effect on lipid peroxidation.

BACKGROUND: Dust-mites are present in our homes, feed on dead exfoliated skin and other organic material. It is also known that oxidative stress may lead to cellular damage that can be confirmed by markers of cellular disruption. Oxidative stress in various infective processes has been documented. We investigated whether house dust-mites cause oxidative stress in patients. METHODS: Products of lipid peroxidation in erythrocytes and lymphocytes were assessed by measuring malondialdehyde concentration. RESULTS: Our results showed that patients who had a positive skin test for dust-mite antigens and had dust-mites present in their houses (dust-mite positive) had increased erythrocyte malondialdehyde levels (62.39 [18.56] nmol/g-Hb) compared with those who were skin test positive, dust-mite negative (45.45 [10.82]) or skin test negative, dust-mite negative (42.20 [5.68]). They also had significantly higher levels of lymphocyte malondialdehyde (4.22 [0.55] nmol/g-protein) compared with those who were skin test positive, dust-mite negative (3.46 [0.29]) or skin test negative, dust-mite negative (1.25 [0.31]; p <0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the malondialdehyde levels of dust-mite negative/skin test positive and dust-mite negative/skin test negative patients. CONCLUSION: Increased malondialdehyde activity in lymphocytes and erythrocytes in the dust-mite positive/skin test positive group shows the presence of the oxidative stress in patients with dust-mite infestation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Benzyl benzoate moist powder: investigation of acaricidal [correction of acarical] activity in cultures and reduction of dust mite allergens in carpets.

Despite advances in the understanding of dust mites, it remains difficult to control exposure to mite allergens, and it is particularly difficult to reduce mites in fitted carpets or sofas. Several chemicals have been demonstrated to kill mites or denature mite allergens, and some of these chemicals have been investigated in carpets. Benzyl benzoate (BB), which has been widely used to kill scabies mites and is known to kill mites of the genus Dermatophagoides, has been used as a method of treating carpets. The present article describes experiments in the laboratory and in houses in testing two preparations of BB, a moist powder and a foam. The moist powder is composed of two ingredients, a wetted "inert" cellulose, which is designed to act as a cleaning agent, and the active BB adsorbed onto silicates. The active powder kills 90% of mites in culture within 12 hours and 100% in 24 hours, whereas the cellulose is not acaricidal. The moist-powder preparation was highly effective at killing D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus mites in the laboratory. In carpets the moist powder, applied for 12 hours with repeated brushing, was demonstrated to reduce the concentrations of group I and group II dust mite allergens in dust recovered at 1 month. This decrease in concentration could, in part, be explained by a persistent increased recovery of dust caused by residual white powder. However, when the recovery of group II allergens was calculated as the total allergen recovered, the decrease was highly significant at 2 weeks and 4 weeks after treatment (p less than 0.001). Application of the powder to carpets for 4 hours or of the foam to sofas was less effective. After 2 months the effect on mite antigen in carpets was still present, but some increase was apparent, suggesting that repeat application after 2 or 3 months would be necessary to control mite-allergen levels.

Allergens↗
PubMed2007

Comparisons of the allergenic mite prevalence in dwellings and certain outdoor environments of the Upper Silesia (southwest Poland).

The occurrence of allergenic mites (pyroglyphid house-dust mites, acarid and glycyphagid storage mites and others) in dwellings and in synanthropic outdoor sites in a densely populated urban area was investigated. A total of 335 house dust samples were collected from dwellings at 7 different locations in Upper Silesia (Poland), including 84 samples from dwellings of Katowice. Mites were found in 188 of the samples examined (56.1%). A total of 4410 mite specimens were isolated and identified, including 4212 members of the family Pyroglyphidae (95.51%). Among them, Dermatophagoides farinae was predominant (75.3%), followed by D. pteronyssinus (18.6%) and Euroglyphus maynei (1.5%). Moreover, litter soiled with communal wastes was sampled. All 86 samples contained mites. A total of 7547 mite specimens were isolated including 6050 mites known as allergenic (80.5%). Among the astigmatid mites two acarids were dominant: Tyrophagus silvester and T. longior (28.7% and 25.1% of all mites). It should be stressed that 6 of the acarid mite species or genera found in outdoor environments are typical domestic mites (T. putrescentiae), or they have been collected from house dust samples (T. longior, Tyrolichus casei, Thyreophagus entomophagus, Mycetoglyphus fungivorus and Rhizoglyphus robini). The litter of synanthropic sites can therefore form a substantial source of infestation.

Allergens↗
PubMed1997

Seasonal variation of skin reactivity and specific IgE antibody to house dust mite.

BACKGROUND: House dust mite is an important cause of bronchial asthma worldwide. While the allergen is present all year-round, a seasonal variation of house dust mite allergen levels has been found. There have been few reports, however, on seasonal variation of specific immune response to house dust mite. OBJECTIVE: We studied the changes in skin reactivity and specific IgE antibody to house dust mite associated with seasonal variation of house dust mite allergen levels in houses of mite-sensitive asthmatic patients. METHODS: In 14 mite-sensitive asthmatic patients, house dust mite allergen (Der f 1) contents in bedding were measured monthly. Skin reactivity on prick test and specific IgE antibody to house dust mite, Dermatophagoides farinae (D. farinae), were determined every 3 months from july to December. RESULTS: The concentration of Der f 1 in dust from bedding reached maximum levels in August and September, and significantly decreased in November and December compared with August and September (P < .05). Skin reactivity (a ratio of mean wheal diameter of allergen to histamine) to D. farinae decreased significantly in December compared with September (P < .05). Serum levels of total IgE and specific IgE antibody to D. farinae decreased significantly in December compared with September (P < .05). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that seasonal changes in natural exposure to house dust mite allergen might lead to concurrent changes in skin reactivity and specific IgE antibody to house dust mite in mite-sensitive asthmatic patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Species and strain identification of the predatory mite Euseius finlandicus by RAPD-PCR and ITS sequences.

The variation within and between Finnish Euseius finlandicus populations was investigated by RAPD-PCR and ITS sequence analyses. Resin DNA extraction was found to be a suitable method for samples of single mites used in PCR. The banding patterns from 24 RAPD primers and 10 primer pairs were very similar and reproducible in all specimens of the predatory mite studied. However, the E. finlandicus K-strain could be distinguished from organophosphate-resistant predatory mites (R-strain), since almost all of them produced a 1,400 bp RAPD-PCR product, which was missing or very rare in other strains studied. Another RAPD band of ca. 680 bp was in turn much more common in other mites of E. finlandicus than in the K-strain mites. Mite specific primers were designed and used to follow the survival of the R-strain released on apple trees. The 680 bp band obtained with specific primers was specific to the species E. finlandicus mites studied, including those that had been negative with RAPD primers. The 1,400 bp specific primers could be used as a marker for following the survival of R-strain mites on apple trees. At the species level it was possible to distinguish adults and eggs of E. finlandicus from Anthoseius rhenanus and Phytonemus pallidus by RAPD-PCR. In addition, a band at 480bp was found to correspond to DNA of the predatory mite Phytoseius macropilis, when both specific primer pairs were used together. It was not possible to amplify the ITS region of E. finlandicus rDNA using several primer pairs that work in other mites and aphids. However, a basidiomycete rDNA sequence was amplified with one of these ITS primer pairs in K-strain mites. Finally, it was found that fungal rDNA-specific primers amplified an ITS region of ca. 650 bp in several strains of E. finlandicus. Internal primers, designed to amplify the central part of the 650 bp product, successfully amplified this product from all the mites.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Mite antigen-induced IL-4 and IL-13 production by basophils derived from atopic asthma patients.

BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence for the role of basophils in the pathogenesis of atopic diseases such as bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis and atopic rhinitis. Recently, it has been reported that basophils derived from healthy donors produce the immunoregulatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 after cross-linking of cell surface IgE. In addition to well-known inflammatory mediators, such as histamine and leukotriene C4. these cytokines produced by basophils are also considered to be associated with atopic diseases. OBJECTIVE: Our first objective was to determine whether or not mite-sensitive atopic asthmatic basophils produce IL-4 and IL-13 in response to mite antigens. Our second objective was to investigate the relationship between antigen-specific or nonspecific IgE in the serum and the production of these cytokines in order to determine the association of basophil-derived cytokines with the pathogenesis of atopic asthma. Our final objective was to study how production of these cytokines could be regulated by some anti-asthma drugs. METHODS: Basophils were purified from peripheral venous blood of 67 atopic asthma patients with elevated RAST for the house dust mite. Cells were stimulated with mite antigens for 6 hours and then IL-4 and IL-13 levels in the supernatants were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Mite-sensitive asthmatic basophils produced IL-4 and IL-13 when stimulated with mite antigens. Mite-induced IL-4 production peaked at 6 hours after the stimulation. whereas IL-13 production continued up to 24 hours. The higher the concentration of mite-specific IgE but not total IgE released in the serum, the more IL-4 and IL-13 were produced by basophils in response to mite antigens. The production of these cytokines was significantly suppressed by the anti-asthma drugs theophylline (IL-4, p<0.001, n=6; IL-13, p<0.001, n=10) and dexamethasone (IL-4, p<0.001, n=15; IL-13, p<0.001, n=10). CONCLUSION: Mite-antigen-induced IL-4 and IL-13 production by basophils derived from mite-sensitive asthma patients was associated with the concentration of mite-specific IgE and may play an important role in the pathogenesis of atopic asthma. The inhibitory effect of dexamethasone and theophylline on allergic inflammation may be due to the inhibition of IL-4 and IL-13 production not only by T cells but also by basophils.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1999

Citrus red mite (Panonychus citri) is the most common sensitizing allergen of asthma and rhinitis in citrus farmers.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate type I hypersensitivity to citrus red mite (Panonychus citri), its prevalence, and relationship to respiratory dysfunction, a cross-sectional survey was performed among citrus farmers on Cheju Island, Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Questionnaires, and skin prick test responses to 11 common inhalant allergens and citrus red mite were performed in 181 citrus farmers, and serum-specific IgE antibodies to citrus red mite were measured by ELISA in sera of 123 subjects. To determine airway hyperresponsiveness, methacholine bronchial provocation tests were performed in 55 subjects who complained of recurrent lower respiratory symptoms. RESULTS: The prevalence of asthma-based on presence of asthmatic symptoms on the questionnaire and airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine, and allergic rhinitis based on presence of nasal symptoms on the questionnaire and positive skin-test response were 12.1% and 19.3%, respectively. The positive rate of skin responses to one or more of 11 common inhalant allergens excluding citrus red mite was 17.1%, and if citrus red mite was included, 25.9% of farmers had positive responses. On skin prick tests, citrus red mite (16.5%) was the most common sensitizing allergen, followed by cockroach (11.0%), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (9.9%), and D. farinae (9.3%). Among farmers with asthma and allergic rhinitis, the positive skin responses to citrus red mite were noted in 54.5 and 68.5%, respectively. Serum-specific IgE antibodies to citrus red mite were detected in 45 farmers (36. 5%) of the 123 tested, and there was significant correlation between specific IgE level and weal (A/H ratio) to citrus red mite (r = 0.57, P < 0.001). The prevalence of asthma was higher in subjects with positive skin responses or high serum-specific IgE antibodies to citrus red mite than in those without skin response or serum specific IgE (P < 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: Citrus red mite is the most important allergen in citrus farmers with asthma and rhinitis in which causative allergen has not been identified. It should be included in the skin test battery for screening the causative allergen in farmers exposed to citrus red mite.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

House-dust mite content in mattresses in relation to residential characteristics and symptoms in atopic and nonatopic children living in northern Norway.

The occurrence of house-dust mites (HDMs) was investigated in the mattresses of 19 children previously found to be skin prick test (SPT) positive to HDM and in 19 nonatopic children derived from an extensive survey of 424 schoolchildren, all living in northern Norway. Domestic mites were counted and identified microscopically. Mite counts ranging from 10 to 1800 mites per gram mattress dust were found in 10 of the 19 HDM-sensitized children compared to none in the control group, corresponding to an odds ratio of more than 20. Of the 540 domestic mites found, 70 were identified by species. Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dpt) was the only HDM species identified (64 mites), while five were storage mites and one was a Tarsonemus species. Positive radioallergosorbent tests (RAST) to Dpt were demonstrated in 9/10 children with and in 5/9 without mite infestation compared to none in the control group. Elevated IgE levels were also found more frequently in children with mite-infested mattresses than in those without. IgE levels were within normal levels in all 19 children in the control group. Latent atopy was found in four children, three with and one without mite infestation. There was no correlation between the concentration of mites and the degree of sensitization. Poor ventilation, increased humidity, and water leak(s) were associated with the presence of domestic mites in mattresses. As HDM growth is highly dependent on humidity and microhabitat, it should be possible to avoid HDM exposure and allergy in this region.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Cytokine production of peripheral mononuclear cells in HD-mite-allergic rhinitis patients].

To elucidate the role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis, the proliferative response and cytokine production of peripheral mononuclear cells (PMNC) following stimulation with mite-antigen were evaluated in HD-mite-allergic rhinitis patients (mite-allergy group), non-HD-mite pollinosis patients (non-mite-allergy group) and normal subjects (normal group). The proliferative response of PMNC to PHA stimulation was not different among the groups, whereas that to mite-antigen stimulation was significantly higher in the mite-allergy group than in the normal group. Production of both IL-4 and IL-5 from PMNC after stimulation with mite-antigen was significantly higher in the mite-allergy group than in the normal group. Production of IFN-gamma from PMNC after antigen stimulation was significantly increased in both the mite-allergy and normal groups. The ratio of IFN-gamma to IL-4 synthesis was significantly higher in the normal group than in the mite-allergy group. This study revealed cytokine synthesis from PMNC after the antigen-stimulation was predominantly Th2-cytokines in patients with HD-mite-allergic rhinitis.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Vacuum cleaning does not sufficiently reduce mite allergens from beddings.

INTRODUCTION: Conflicting results exist with regard to the efficacy of vacuum cleaners on the removal of mite allergens from bedding. OBJECTIVES: The authors prospectively compared a short term efficacy of two types of regular vacuum cleaners (National-N and Hoover-H) with a specialized cleaner (Vorwerk-V) in the removal of mite allergens from mattresses. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thirty-five dormitory beds with high mite allergen concentrations at the baseline period (month 0) were selected. They were matched into three groups according to group I mite allergen concentrations (N 11 beds, H 12 beds, V 12 beds). Vacuuming was performed on months 1 and 4 by the assigned vacuum cleaner in each group. Immediately after, mattresses were vacuumed by a reference cleaner (another National vacuum cleaner) at both months. Vacuuming was performed over the entire bed for 2 minutes/square meter. Group I mite allergens (sums of Der p 1 and Der f 1) were measured; concentrations and total mite allergens removed by the tested cleaners as well as by the reference cleaner, at various time points, were compared. RESULTS: Ability to remove mite allergens by vacuum cleaners depends on weight of dust removed and also on mite concentrations in the dust samples. Despite the fact that H and V appeared to remove higher mite allergens than N, such differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05), both at month 1, and 4. Surprisingly, mattress mite concentrations removed by both high capacity cleaner groups (V & H) increased at month 4, whereas, it remained unchanged in the third group (N). This increase led to a concomitant increase in total allergen removed by V and H. Nevertheless, remaining total allergens in the mattresses in V and H, as judged from the amount of allergens obtained by the reference cleaner, increased at month 1 and 4 compared to baseline values (p < 0.05), whereas, no change was observed in N. CONCLUSION: Although high capacity vacuum cleaners removed a large amount of mite allergens from mattresses, they did not sufficiently reduce mattress mite allergen burden as determined by the reference cleaner during this short term study.

Allergens↗
PubMed1985

House dust mites in Colorado.

Sixty-four samples of house dust from 16 long-established households in the Denver, Colorado area were analyzed for the presence of house dust mites (Dermatophagoides sp.). No mites were found in house dust from 12 of the sampled houses and small numbers (10 to 40 mites/g of house dust) were found from the other four. In an additional four houses which contained furniture recently imported from other areas, 100 to 360 mites/g of dust were found, and 2 years later up to 200 mites/g were still present. Twenty-eight percent of the mites in repeat collections from the latter homes were alive. The mite allergen content of house dust samples was analyzed by RAST inhibition against pooled sera from mite allergic patients. When dust from four long-established Denver households where no mites were found was employed, there was an average binding of 37.2%; with dust from the four Denver households with low levels of mites and no imported furniture, binding averaged 39.5%. In contrast, with house dust from four "positive control" homes in California and New York there was only 26.1% binding (P less than .005). The results of this study suggest that there are small numbers of nonintroduced house dust mites in some Denver houses, but that they contribute little mite antigen and are probably of minimal clinical significance in mite-sensitive patients. Large numbers of mites can be introduced with furnishings and may persist for at least 2 years. Similar small mite populations might be expected in other areas with comparable relative humidity.

Allergens↗
PubMed1994

[Effect of a mite-killing agent on house dust and on symptoms of house dust allergy].

UNLABELLED: The efficacy of acaricid benzyl-benzoate (Acarosan) has been followed in an open study for one year in patients with house dust mite allergy; the clinical signs and the mite allergen level have been considered. METHODS: the furniture (beds, upholstered pieces, carpets) of 17 house dust mite allergic patients suffering from bronchial asthma and/or allergic rhinitis has been investigated. The mite content of the dust gained from the furniture has been determined with the help of the semiquantitative Acarex test. This test has been done before the mite elimination and 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after it. The registered clinical signs of the patients: symptoms, drug consumption, expiratory peak flow values have been measured twice a day. RESULTS: 9/17 beds have become free from mites, 6/17 beds have had less mites than before, 1/17 no change, 1/17 augmentation of mite content. The proportion of days free from complaints has been 26.8% at the beginning of the trial and 47.1% after 12 months, the drug consumption has diminished meanwhile. At the beginning of the trial 6 children had pathologic lability index based on peak-flow measurements, they improved significantly. The information about the mite content of the furniture gives help for the elimination measures. The chemical mite elimination reduces the mite content of the flat and results in clinical improvement of house dust mite allergic patients.

Acari↗