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PubMed1997

Reduction of the mite-allergen reservoir within mattresses by vacuum-cleaning. A comparison of three vacuum-cleaning systems.

Mattresses are considered to be the main source of house-dust-mite (HDM) allergen. This study aimed to investigate different types of vacuum cleaners for their ability to reduce this allergen reservoir. Three types of vacuum cleaners were examined: a conventional vacuum cleaner, a water-trap cleaner, and a central vacuum cleaner. Cut out pieces of mattresses were analyzed for content of mite allergen after vacuum-cleaning. Three polyester mattresses from the homes of three children were selected for the study. These three mattresses had earlier been found to be contaminated by group 1 HDM allergen (8-15 micrograms/g of dust). Each mattress was divided into three main sections, separated by a safety zone, and each main section was subdivided into four parts. The three main sections were cleaned by each vacuum-cleaning system. Pieces 2-cm-thick of the surface of the mattresses were cut out, and extracts were made to assess the amount of mite allergen still present after different intensities of vacuum-cleaning. A considerable reduction in the level of mite allergen was found after using all three of the vacuum-cleaning systems. Only 22% of the original mite-allergen reservoir remained after intense vacuum-cleaning. Since the number of mattresses in the investigation was low, and niche formations of group 1 HDM allergen within the mattresses were observed, the results must be interpreted with caution. Furthermore, allergen-producing living dust mites were not affected by this method. However, intense vacuum-cleaning seems to reduce considerably the level of the mattress-bound mite-allergen reservoir, a fact which may be important in mite-allergic and mite-exposed families.

Allergens↗
PubMed1997

Mite fauna of German farms.

Storage mites are important sources of airborne allergens, especially on farms. A mite survey was conducted in the working environments of 121 farms in five regions of Germany. Of 859 samples, 743 (86.4%) contained mites, representing 547,857 astigmatic mites in 723 g of dust and 34,501 prostigmatic mites in 469 g of dust. Dust samples from nine sites of each farm were collected and analyzed. Ninety-three percent of all mites belonged to the order Astigmata (storage- and house-dust-mite species); 35 Astigmata and 14 Prostigmata mite species were identified. According to the abundance and steadiness of the important astigmatic mite species, the following order was found: Lepidoglyphus destructor > Glycyphagus domesticus > Acarus siro > Tyrophagus longior > Blomia tjibodas > Chortoglyphus arcuatus > Thyreophagus entomophagus > Tyrophagus putrescentiae > Euroglyphus longior > Tyrophagus palmarum > Acarus farris > Acarus immobilis > Gohieria fusca. Blomia tjibodas was described for the first time as an abundant species of farms in Germany.

Agriculture↗
PubMed1998

Quantification of house-dust-mite populations.

Since the proposal that allergen from the mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus is identical to the house-dust allergen supposed to cause asthma and allergy, interest in the abundance, species diversity, and frequency of mites in the home has expanded. Surveys and ecologic studies have confirmed the ubiquity of mites in house dust, especially mites of the family Pyroglyphidae, but most do not give an accurate estimate of population size or mite exposure. These are still important issues today in attempts to quantify the exposure to house-dust mite that constitutes a risk, to assess mite-eradication trials, and to determine fluctuations in mite population. The problems encountered with common methods of house-dust sampling. mite extraction, and measuring house-dust allergen are discussed.

Allergens↗
PubMed1998

Occurrence of mites in Norway and the rest of Scandinavia.

This paper gives a faunistic review of mites that have been recorded in the indoor environment, particularly homes, barns, and stored products, in Norway and the other Scandinavian countries. Some preliminary results are given from unpublished investigations in Norway. Seven species of pyroglyphid mites have been recorded: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, D. microceras, D. farinae, D. evansi, Euroglyphus maynei, Gymnoglyphus longior, and Hirstia chelidonis. D. pteronyssinus was the predominant species, followed by D. microceras in Scandinavia and D. farinae in Denmark. D. evansi was detected in poultry houses in Norway. Lepidoglyphus destructor was the predominant species in barn dust, but large populations of Acarus, Tyrophagus, Tydeus, and Tarsonemidae also occurred. In humid homes, Glycyphagus domesticus was found in high numbers. The result of quantification of mites depends on the method for examination of dust. When one proposes limits for the concentration of mites in relation to risk of allergic sensitization and provocation of symptoms, reference should be made to a well-described method for sampling and analyzing dust. The number of mites should be given per area, not only per weight unit of dust. The number of mites per area indicates the number of mites in the home. The number of mites per weight unit of dust describes the concentration of mites in the vacuum cleaner.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Risk levels for mite allergen: are they meaningful, where should samples be collected, and how should they be analyzed?

Indoor allergen exposure plays a major role in the development of sensitization and triggering of asthma in children. All over the world, mites are common sources of indoor allergens. Risk levels for mite-allergen exposure have been recommended. A mite-allergen level of >/=2 microg/g dust is considered a risk level for sensitization and symptoms of asthma. Data from several ongoing prospective studies of children show that mite sensitization may occur below the suggested threshold level. However, from these studies, it seems that high mite-allergen exposure increases the risk of early sensitization, whereas low exposure levels probably take a longer time to induce sensitization. Assessment of allergen exposure and consideration of allergen-elimination strategies should not be limited only to the home environment. High levels of mite allergens are also found in day-care centers, schools, and various other public places, such as bars. Thus, in addition to homes, these environments should also be considered when allergen-avoidance measures are taken. Allergen content in dust can be expressed in several units, e.g., ng/g, ng/m2, and ng/sampling, and as the total amount of allergen. At present, there is no consensus on the best way to measure and express mite-allergen levels. In this paper, aspects of threshold levels for mite sensitization, various exposure environments, and sampling, determination, and expression units of mite exposure will be discussed in brief.

Allergens↗
PubMed2005

Sensitisation to mites in laboratory animal workers with rhinitis.

AIMS: To determine the frequency of sensitisation to mites among rhinitic laboratory animal workers and to clarify whether sensitisation could be occupational. METHODS: Skin prick tests (SPT) were performed in 40 subjects who were working with laboratory animals in Kuopio University research units and who had been referred to Kuopio University Hospital for work related rhinitis. The SPT panel consisted of three storage mites, two house dust mites, 11 other common environmental airborne allergens, latex, and 2-4 individually relevant laboratory animals. To determine signs of mites in animal facilities, guanine was determined in 22 dust samples taken from feedstuffs or bedding material used for laboratory animals and from rooms where these materials were stored and handled. RESULTS: Positive SPT results were found in 35 out of 40 workers: in 14 for storage mites, four for house dust mites, 25 for other common aeroallergens, as well as positive reactions to laboratory animals in 19 individuals. The guanine test was positive, indicating the presence of mite derived material in 21 out of 22 dust samples. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that subjects who are occupationally exposed to laboratory animals are also exposed to mite derived allergens. Sensitisation to mites is common and may be work related.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Respiratory symptoms in arable farmworkers: role of storage mites.

Storage mites (acarid mites) are related to the house dust mite but are usually found in agricultural environments. They have been shown to cause allergic symptoms in Scottish farmworkers exposed to stored hay, but whether farmworkers who grow and store grain are also at risk is unknown. One hundred and one farmworkers on 22 Essex farms with grain storage facilities (88% of the available workforce) participated in a survey of respiratory symptoms, with skin tests and determination of serum levels of IgE specific for mite species, including storage mites. Of the 101 workers, 21 reported attacks of cough, wheeze, or breathlessness after exposure to stored grain and 15 reported nasal symptoms after grain exposure. Storage mite specific IgE was found in 59% of farmworkers with work related respiratory symptoms, in 60% with work related nasal symptoms, and in only 9% of symptomless farmworkers. Work related respiratory and nasal symptoms were also significantly associated with atopy, and with positive skin test responses and serum IgE specific for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. Storage mites were found in grain samples from 16 farms in which grain was sampled, whereas D pteronyssinus was not found in any. The close association between serum storage mite specific IgE and occupational respiratory symptoms suggests that storage mites may be responsible for respiratory symptoms in these Essex farmworkers exposed to grain.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Mite and pet allergen levels in homes of children born to allergic and nonallergic parents: the PIAMA study.

The Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy (PIAMA) study is a birth cohort study that investigates the influence of allergen exposure on the development of allergy and asthma in the first several years of life. The objectives of this study were to investigate the relationship between a family history of allergy and/or asthma and exposure of newborn children to mite and pet allergen and to study the influence of different home and occupant characteristics on mite allergen exposure. Dust was sampled from the child's mattress and the parental mattress at 3 months after birth of the index child and analyzed for mite and pet allergens. Subjects were divided in groups according to history of asthma and allergy in their parents, and allergen exposure was studied in the different groups. Cat allergen exposure was significantly lower on parental mattresses in families with allergic mothers, but dog allergen exposure was not different. Mite allergen exposure was lower on parental mattresses in families with allergic mothers. Use of mite allergen-impermeable mattress covers reduced mite allergen exposure. Some other characteristics such as age of home and mattress were also found to influence mite allergen exposure. Parental mattresses in homes of allergic mothers had lower cat and mite (but not dog) allergen loadings than mattresses in homes of nonallergic parents. Paternal (as opposed to maternal) allergy seemed to have little influence.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Comparison of sensitization to crude and purified house dust mite allergens in inbred mice.

To establish a murine model for house dust mite allergy to purified mite allergens, we studied the immune response to two major mite allergens, native Dermatophagoides farinae 1 (nDer f 1) and recombinant Der f 2 (rDer f 2), and crude mite extract in four mouse strains, A/J, BALB/c, C57BL/6, and C3H/He. Mice were immunized with mite extract, nDer f 1 or rDer f 2, three times at 2-week intervals. Then mice were examined to determine status of sensitization to the antigen. Anti-mite extract IgE production was induced in all strains, and plasma IgE concentration did not differ much among the four strains. In contrast, IgE response to nDer f 1 and rDer f 2 indicated an intra-strain difference. The A/J mice had high responses to both antigens, whereas BALB/c did not respond to rDer f 2. The C57BL/6 and C3H/He mice had moderate to low IgE responses to nDer f 1 and rDer f 2. Immediate airway constriction was provoked by inhalation of mite extract or rDer f 2 in sensitized mice, and the degree of the immediate response was almost proportional to antigen-specific IgE concentration. We concluded that immunization of inbred mice with nDer f 1 and rDer f 2 achieved sensitization to mite allergens. Among the four strains, A/J mice with H-2a haplotype were the highest responder to mite allergens.

Aerosols↗
PubMed2002

In vivo and in vitro sensitization to domestic mites in German urban and rural allergic patients.

Sensitization to domestic mites is common in Germany. The main objectives of this study were (1) to establish the rate of skin test sensitivity to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Acarus siro, Lepidoglyphus destructor, and Tyrophagus putrescentiae in 512 consecutive patients evaluated for upper and/or lower respiratory complaints; (2) to verify how many of the patients with a positive skin test to at least one of the three storage mites were also skin test positive to D. pteronyssinus; and (3) to verify how many of the patients with at least one positive skin test to one of the storage mites previously mentioned were also sensitized, in vitro, to other mite species. A total of 512 consecutive patients with rhinitis and/or asthma, living in urban or rural areas of central Germany were skin tested with extracts of D. pteronyssinus, A. siro, L. destructor, and T. putrescentiae. In addition, specific IgE determinations to Euroglyphus maynei, Blomia tropicalis, Blomia tjibodas, Blomia kulagini, and Gohieria fusca were conducted in those individuals with a positive skin test to at least one of the storage mites used in skin testing. Of the 512 patients, 103 (20.1%; 77 urban dwellers and 26 farmers) reacted to at least one of the storage mites. From this latter group, 88 individuals (85.4%) also skin tested positive to D. pteronyssinus. In vitro specific IgE determinations revealed a high rate of sensitization to the other mite species studied. We conclude that sensitization to storage mites in Germany is frequently associated with sensitivity to D. pteronyssinus. Overall, skin test sensitivity to storage mites was greater in rural than in city dwellers. In vitro sensitization to B. tjibodas was also significantly greater in rural than in city dwellers.

Allergens↗
PubMed2004

Allergy to house dust mites and asthma.

House dust mites have been shown to be important sources of indoor allergens associated with asthma and other allergic conditions. Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that affects millions of people worldwide, and numerous scientific studies have shown that the prevalence of asthma is increasing. The most common dust mite species around the world include Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp), Dermatophagoides farinae (Df), Euroglyphus maynei (Em) and Blomia tropicalis (Bt). Over the past three decades, many important allergens from these species have been identified and characterized at the molecular level. The biological function of several house dust mite allergens has been elucidated, with many of them showing enzymatic activity. However, Bt allergens remain the least studied, even though this mite is very common in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, including Puerto Rico. Therefore, it is very important to include Bt in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for house dust mite induced allergy and asthma, particularly in areas where Bt exposure and sensitization is high. Recombinant DNA technology, as well as other molecular biology and immunological techniques, have played a fundamental role in advances towards a better understanding of the biology of house dust mites and their role in allergic diseases. This kind of study also contributes to the understanding of the complex immunologic mechanisms involved in allergic reactions. The development of effective diagnostic and therapeutic approaches depends on the continuity of research of house dust mite allergens. The objectives of this review are to describe the most important aspects of house dust mite allergy and to acquaint the scientific community with the latest findings pertaining to house dust mite allergens, particularly those derived from Bt.

Allergens↗
PubMed1995

Prevalence of house dust mites in the Rocky Mountain states.

BACKGROUND: Due to low rainfall and high elevation the ten Rocky Mountain states would not be expected to have the indoor humidity required to support the growth of significant numbers of house dust mites. Nevertheless, a recent survey reported that house dust mite allergen levels were not significantly different in the various regions of the United States, including the arid and mountainous regions. METHODS: Each summer for 5 years (1988-92) patients with bronchial asthma scheduled to be evaluated at the National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine were invited to submit a dust sample from their mattress or bedroom carpet for mite analysis. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients from the ten Rocky Mountain states submitted dust specimens. Forty-eight contained no mites, five had levels of mites considered clinically insignificant (less than 100 mites/g dust), three contained 100 mites/g of dust, a level at the threshold of significance, and two had high levels of mites (1,000 and 3,000 mites/g). Both of the homes with high mite levels had specific sources of excess moisture. Twenty-eight patients from adjacent states also submitted dust specimens. Significant levels of mites were encountered in specimens from these states reflecting the transition to zones of greater humidity and lower elevation. CONCLUSION: Except in homes with unusual sources of humidity, significant levels of house dust mites are rarely encountered in homes in the ten Rocky Mountain states.

Allergens↗
PubMed1994

[Systematic cleaning of the mite antigens in home environment and its effects on atopic dermatitis].

Since mite antigen is an important causative agent of atopic dermatitis (AD), establishment and maintenance of a mite-reduced home environment would be an effective means to mitigate the symptoms. For establishing and maintaining a mite-reduced home environment, the structure of the residence, as well as the life style of the residents are important factors to consider. Based on a hypothesized behavior of the mite antigens a cleaning program was developed. Application of this program for establishing and maintaining a mite-reduced room in a patient's home produced a reduction in both mite population and mite antigen level, as well as a mitigation of the patient's symptoms. An air purifier was shown to have the ability to reduce, to a certain extant, specific mite antigens. The results suggest that an air purifier would be an effective contribution to the maintenance of a mite-reduced home environment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Prevention of asthma caused by dust mites].

The house-dust mites are responsible for the majority of allergic asthma. It is currently possible to measure the exposure to their allergens, and this allows for a better guide as to the indications for eviction measures; there is also a more objective appreciation of the efficacy of these measures. A decrease in the relative humidity of the interior of the house effectively hinders the proliferation of the mites. Vacuuming the room, notably the mattress, is not sufficient in the majority of cases to reduce the level of allergenicity of the mites to a tolerable level for the asthmatic patient. Thus, it is necessary to renew the bedding, or to hermetically seal the mattress in a plastic cover. Washing the bedding at a temperature above 55 degrees C will kill the mites. Amongst the chemicals available in the struggle to reduce the mite population, the acaricides lead to an elimination of 65-100% of the mites in a mite culture. Tannic acid, which is a protein de-naturing agent, can reduce the allergenicity of the house-dust. Certain control studies related to the effect of the acaricides demonstrate an improvement in objective and subjective parameters of both asthma and rhinitis due to mites. However, the efficacy of these acaricides, as well as measures to clean up the environment within the house, merit more precise evaluation on the symptomatology, the changes of expiratory flow rates, and finally of broncho-reactivity in patients. It is probable that several preventative measures need to be associated if one wishes to improve the efficacy of the struggle to control the house-dust mites.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Low-level exposure to house dust mites stimulates T-cell responses during early childhood independent of atopy.

BACKGROUND: The immune responses which underlie the expression of allergic symptoms in childhood are believed to be initiated in infancy and early childhood. The kinetics of this response have hardly been researched. OBJECTIVE: To analyse, in an environment with low house dust mite (HDM) exposure levels, the relationship between house dust mite (HDM)-specific T-cell reactivity as expressed by in vitro proliferation of blood mononuclear cells. METHODS: The study comprised a prospective analysis of patterns of allergen-specific T-cell reactivity in a cohort of 19 children, from whom blood samples were obtained in the spring during their second and third years of life. Blood mononuclear cell cultures were established in 200 microL AIM-V serum free medium. Crude house dust mite (HDM) and purified Der p 1 and Der p 2 extracts were used at optimal concentrations, i.e. 100 micrograms/mL for HDM and 30 micrograms/mL for the purified allergens. Tetanus toxoid (0.5 microgram/mL) and ovalbumin (10 micrograms/mL) served as positive controls. A clinical diagnosis of allergy was verified with skin-prick tests. Dust samples were collected from a mattress and/or carpet or sofa in homes, day care centres and day care homes. Major mite allergen levels (Der p 1/Der f 1) in dust were analysed by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Specific T-cell responses were seen in the majority of the children against house dust mite (crude HDM extract, Der p 1 and Der p 2). The levels of the house dust mite allergens Der p 1 and Der f 1 were low, i.e. < 0.68 microgram/g fine dust in the homes of the children and the day care centres that they were attending. This indicates that doses of mite antigen well below the suggested sensitization threshold level of 2 micrograms/g dust can induce mite-specific T-cell responses in young children. None of them showed clinical reactivity to house dust mites as indicated by negative skin-prick tests. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that active immunological recognition of environmental allergens and the ensuing initiation of allergen-specific T-cell responses, is a normal part of the 'education' of the immune system in early childhood and can occur even at very low exposure levels. Priming per se does not imply clinically significant sensitivity, however.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Feather mites are potentially an important source of allergens for pigeon and budgerigar keepers.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies on allergy to feathers have not addressed whether organisms living on feathers (mites, lice, moulds) are a source of allergens. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether feather mites produced allergens of clinical relevance to bird keepers. METHODS: We examined serum IgE responses of 96 pigeon breeders to an extract of feather mites from pigeons (predominantly Diplaegidia columbae), using Western blotting, specific IgE assay using AlaSTAT EIA and RAST inhibition. RESULTS: Feather mites are a major source of soluble proteins derived from feathers, accounting for up to 10% of the total weight of the feather. Forty-three sera had a negative score (0) for anti-feather mite IgE, 27 were weakly positive (1-2) and 26 had strongly positive scores (3-4). Fewer pigeon breeders with scores > or = 3 were asymptomatic than those with negative scores (12 versus 40%), more had late onset symptoms (with or without early onset symptoms: 77% versus 44%) and had IgE antibody against house dust mite (89% versus 23%). Western blotting of eight sera against the extract of Diplaegidia columbae revealed 20 IgE-binding components ranging from 22 to 200 kDa. A high diversity of components was recognized by each serum: arithmetic mean 7 (range 2-14). RAST inhibition indicated feather mites had species-specific epitopes as well as ones that cross-reacted with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. CONCLUSION: Strongly-positive AlaSTAT scores to pigeon feather mite were associated with allergic symptoms of late onset in pigeon breeders. We conclude that feather mites are a major source of clinically-relevant allergens for pigeon breeders.

Allergens↗
PubMed2003

MDM-1 and MDM-2: two mutator-derived MITE families in rice.

Numerous miniature inverted repeat transposable elements (MITEs) are present in the rice genome but their transposition mechanisms are unknown. In this report, we present evidence that two novel MITE families may have arisen from Mutator-related transposable elements and thus may use a transposition mechanism similar to that of Mutator elements. Two families of novel MITEs, namely, MDM-1 and MDM-2, were identified by searching for MITEs nested with Kiddo, a previously identified MITE family. MDM-1 and MDM-2 bear hallmarks of Mutator elements, such as long terminal inverted repeats (LTIRs), 9-bp target-site duplications (TSDs), and putative transposase binding sites. Strikingly, the MDM-1 family has a 9-bp terminus identical to that of a rice Mutator-like element ( MULE-9) and the MDM-2 family has an 8-bp terminus identical to that of the maize autonomous Mutator element MuDR. A putative transposase homologous to MURA protein is identified for the MDM-2 family. Thus, these two novel MITE families, with a total copy number of several hundred in rice, are designated Mutator-derived MITEs ( MDMs). Interestingly, sequence decay analysis of MDM families revealed a number of insertion site duplications (ISDs) in the alignment gaps, and widespread historical nesting events are proposed to account for the existence of these ISDs. In addition to its value for discovering new MITEs, the nesting analysis approach used in this study simultaneously identifies MITE insertion polymorphisms.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2006

Multiple environmental factor analysis in habitats of the harvest mite Neotrombicula autumnalis (Acari: Trombiculidae) suggests extraordinarily high euryoecious biology.

The harvest mite Neotrombicula autumnalis (Trombiculidae) has become a great nuisance in various vegetated areas in Germany over the last 15 years. According to reports of dermatologists, this species appears to have propagated and spread significantly. Moreover, cases of severe trombidiosis or trombidiosis-like skin reactions have been noticed at unusually early times of the year. Due to the lack of scientific studies, little is known about the ecology of N. autumnalis and its distribution, and preferred habitats cannot be predicted. A four-year study was conducted to identify trombiculid foci in different areas of Bonn in order (1) to determine the timing of larvae appearance in different years, (2) to identify the factors that lead to high larvae abundances at the mite foci ('multiple factor analysis'), and (3) to develop an ecological control strategy. By means of the 'tile catch method' (TCM) which turned out to be most appropriate to collect data on the distribution and abundances of trombiculid mites, larvae of N. autumnalis were caught from mid July until the end of October/beginning of November. The distribution of the mites was patchy, supporting the hypothesis that certain factors cause a concentration in foci. Most of the mite foci had a fixed location for at least three years. Efforts to isolate nymphs and adults in larger quantities to gain knowledge about their preferred soil areas and soil depths failed. Only some nymphs of N. autumnalis could be found living 10-40 cm deep in the soil. Due to the restriction that the nymphs and adults can only rarely be isolated in the ground, the analysis of environmental factors was executed based on abundances of questing larvae on the soil surface. The detailed analysis of soil-physical, soil-chemical and meso-faunistic factors could not finally explain the unequal distribution of the mites, although the porosity of the soil had a statistically significant slight influence on the abundance of larvae, and soil pH bordered significance, also suggesting a slight influence. Furthermore, soil temperatures during the winter seasons in three subsequent years appeared too high to affect the harvest mite. The field experiments suggest that N. autumnalis and particularly its larval stages are extremely euryoecious (meaning tolerating very different environmental conditions). Further studies are necessary: additional investigations on the influence of certain abiotic environmental factors on N. autumnalis, the search for factors underlying the rhythmicity of its life cycle ('zeitgeber'), and the reasons and mechanisms for heterogeneous distribution of soil fauna in general. Ecological control of the mite is, in principle, possible but only after identifying the foci and ascertaining their approximate dimensions with the TCM. This control strategy is the most promising one, albeit very laborious, emphasising the need of further research on the ecology of the harvest mite.

Animals↗