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PubMed2001

Mites in fungal cultures.

Recently all existing Trichophyton mentagrophytes colonies within our laboratory, which had originally appeared normal, rapidly and at an early stage became perforated. Therefore the aims of this study were to expose the cause of these major morphological changes and to find out if this phenomenon may occur in other fungal cultures. Microscopic examination of specimens taken from the damaged colonies showed many mites at different developmental stages, which were subsequently identified as the acarus, Tyrophagus putrescentiae. The laboratory experiments demonstrated that mites feed on the spores and hyphae of all the dermatophytes, moulds and yeasts tested. For the time being Tyrophagus putrescentiae is an unpleasant pest which damages fungal cultures but future use of the acari in biological control may be considered.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

A case of loiasis in Rome.

BACKGROUND: Owing to the increase of an immigrant population and of Italian citizens travelling for tourism or on business, it is nowadays possible to observe clinical pictures characteristic of tropical regions, often with indistinct symptoms. One of these is Loa loa infestation, or loiasis, a form of filariasis caused by Loa loa and transmitted by the Chrysops fly. We present the case of a male immigrant from Cameroon. Characteristic symptoms were intense xerosis, mostly of the third inferior part of the legs, intensely pruritic, with numerous lesions from scratching. No benefit was obtained by emollient topics, anti-acarus and systemic antihistamines. METHOD: Serum samples and Giemsa, haematoxylin, haematoxylin + Giemsa concentration-on-membrane stains, have evidenced the presence of Loa loa microfilariae. RESULTS: A diagnosis for L. loa (loiasis) infestation was made. CONCLUSIONS: At the beginning of the migration phenomenon, particularly from Africa, Italian physicians, especially dermatologists, were eagerly looking for 'tropical' diseases; this approach can be defined as 'Salgari's syndrome' from the name of the Italian novelist who, though never travelling out of Italy, had perfectly described environments and habits typical of far away countries. Now, conversely, we have to avoid the opposite approach of considering real tropical diseases as related to social or psychological difficult conditions.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

[Sensitization against storage mites in allergic rhinopathy].

In the past 15 years, storage mites became more common as an agent in allergic airway disease. Sensitization to storage mites has been reported in farmers and grain workers. There were some studies investigating local populations, especially in the north of Europe. The sensitization to storage mites in a rural population seems to be similar to the rate found for Dermatophagoides. The main diseases caused by storage mites are allergic rhinitis and asthma. Although there is a cross-reactivity between Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and storage mites, most of the antigens were distinct from house dust mite antigens. In our study, we analysed sera obtained from patients with known house dust mite allergy. Patients with a RAST class 2, 3 or 4 for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus were tested for specific IgE-antibodies against storage mites. The test was performed using the Melja EAST-technique. We obtained a sensibilization rate of 7% for Acarus siro (d70), 17% for Lepidoglyphus destructor (d71), 3% for Tyrophagus putrescentiae (d72) and 13% for Glycyphagus domesticus (d73). According to our results we can conclude that storage mites are relevant allergens in allergic rhinitis, especially in the rural population in Bavaria. Therefore, routine testing in patients with perennial rhinitis is proposed.

Agricultural Workers' Diseases↗

PubMed2004

Correlations between allergen-specific IgE serum levels in patients with allergic conjunctivitis in spring.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relation between various specific class E immunoglobulins (IgE) in serum and allergic conjunctivitis in spring. METHODS: Forty patients with allergic conjunctivitis and fifty healthy volunteers were selected for this trial. Total IgE and specific IgE to twelve inhalant allergens were measured using the CAP system. RESULTS: Specific IgE levels caused by cedar and cypress pollen, house dust, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, acarus, and moth allergens were higher in the allergy group than in the control group. No correlation was proven between the specific IgE levels and the total IgE level. The highest positivity rate for a specific allergen in patients with allergic conjunctivitis was 52.5% for cedar pollen, followed by cypress pollen at 37.5%. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that cypress pollen was the largest cause of allergic conjunctivitis and that the total IgE level had no correlation with each specific IgE.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Mites and fungi in heavily infested stores in the Czech Republic.

Toxigenic and allergen-producing fungi represent a serious hazard to human food and animal feed safety. Ninety-four fungal species were isolated from mite-infested samples of seeds taken from Czech seed stores. Fungi were isolated from the surface of four kinds of seeds (wheat, poppy, lettuce, and mustard) and from the gut and external surface of five species of mites (i.e., Acarus siro L., 1758, Caloglyphus rhizoglyphoides (Zachvatkin, 1973), Lepidoglyphus destructor (Schrank, 1781), Tyrophagus putrescentnae (Schrank, 1781) and Cheyletus malaccensis Oudemans 1903) separately. Multivariate analysis of fungi complex composition showed that the frequency of fungal was species significantly influenced by the kind of seed. Fungal frequencies differed between mites gut and exoskeleton surface and between the surfaces of mites and seeds. Three groups of fungal species were recognized: 1) mite surface-associated fungi: Penicillium brevicompactum, Alternaria alternata, and Aspergillus versicolor; 2) mite surface- and seed-associated fungi: Aspergillus niger, Penicillium crustosum, Penicillium aurantiogriseum, Penicillium chrysogenum, and Aspergillus flavus; and 3) seed-associated fungi: Cladosporium herbarum, Mucor dimorphosporus f. dimorphosporus, Botrytis cinerea, Penicillium griseofulvum, and Eurotium repens. Mite-carried species of microfungi are known to produce serious mycotoxins (e.g., aflatoxin B1, cyclopiazonic acid, sterigmatocystin, ochratoxin A, and nephrotoxic glycopeptides) as well as allergen producers (e.g., A. alternata and P. brevicompactum). Storage mites may play an important role in the spread of some medically hazardous micromycetes. In addition, these mite-fungi associations may heighten the risk of occurrence of mycotoxins in food and feed stuffs and cause mixed contamination by fungal and mite allergens.

Alternaria↗

PubMed1979

The role and allergenic importance of storage mites in house dust and other environments.

Skin tests were performed on 210 patients with house dust allergy and bronchial asthma or perennial rhinitis using extracts of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and of four storage mites most commonly found in house dust in the United Kingdom--Acarus siro, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Lepidoglyphus (formerly Glycyphagus) destructor and Glycyphagus domesticus. The results of the skin tests were related to certain occupations and living conditions of the patients which could have exposed them to storage mites and some patients were included because their environment seemed especially likely to expose them to these species in order to assess the importance of these conditions. D. pteronyssinus was the most potent of the mite allergens and provoked the largest number of positive tests but a proportion of the storage mite species gave skin reactions which were larger or as large as those of D. pteronyssinus. No significant statistical correlation was found between reactions to D. pteronyssinus and any storage mite but highly significant correlations were found between some storage species. The frequency and strength of reactions to these species were unexpectedly high in view of their irregular occurrence and relative scarcity in house dust. It is suggested that sensitisation to these species occurs through exposure either to localised sources of infestation overlook during the random collection of floor or bedding dust or to infested materials encountered at work or other activities or to infested food or bedding of certain domestic pets. It is concluded that allergy to storage mites is more important and widespread that hitherto realised and is a considerable occupational hazard in farming communities and to those in occupations handling infested materials. Storage mites may also be important allergens for those living in very damp houses where the growth of moulds may encourage the development of Glycyphagus domesticus or other mites.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1980

The allergenic importance of house dust and storage mites in asthmatics in Brunei, S.E. Asia.

Examination of dust from sleeping areas showed that storage mites, especially Glycyphagid species, were predominant in Brunei house dust. On skin testing sixty asthmatics with 1% extracts of six mite species, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus was found to provoke the greatest number of positive skin reactions (66.7%), but positive reactions for Tyrophagus putrescentiae (50%), Acarus siro (35%), Glycyphagus domesticus (40%), and Lepidoglyphus destructor (45%) demonstrated that storage mites are also significant allergens. The role of storage mites in the causation of asthma in the tropics may have been underestimated.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1985

Storage mite allergy is common in a farming population.

The prevalence of storage mite allergy was investigated in an epidemiological study of respiratory symptoms in farmers on Gotland, an island in the Baltic Sea. A questionnaire concerning work-related and chronic symptoms from the airways and eyes was completed by 2578 farmers. A sample of 440 farmers subsequently underwent examination comprising skin-prick tests (animal danders, pollens, moulds and house dust mite), blood sampling for RAST against four storage mites (Acarus siro, Lepidoglyphus destructor, Tyrophagus putrescentiae and Glycyphagus domesticus) and total IgE analyses. Immediate onset hypersensitivity reactions in the airways and eyes were very common among active farmers on Gotland, the prevalence being as high as 40.0%. The prevalence of atopic allergy was 15.6%. Allergy to storage mites was diagnosed, from the case history and a positive RAST to at least one of the four storage mites, in fifty-two of 440 studied farmers (12%), corresponding to a calculated prevalence of storage mite allergy in the whole farming population of Gotland of 6.2%. The corresponding prevalence among farmers with hypersensitivity symptoms was 15.4% and among those with possibly IgE-mediated symptoms it was as high as 37.8%. The present study clearly demonstrates a high prevalence of allergy to storage mites among farmers with respiratory symptoms.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1987

Lack of allergenic cross-reactivity between storage mites and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus.

The allergenic cross-reactivity between storage mites (Lepidoglyphus destructor, Glycyphagus domesticus, Tyrophagus putrescentiae and Acarus siro) and the house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus was studied with the radio-allergo-sorbent test (RAST) and the RAST inhibition technique. RAST-positive sera were obtained from fifty-three farmers who were positive to at least one of the four storage mites. Sera from twelve of these farmers, eight of whom were also positive to D. pteronyssinus, were investigated with the RAST inhibition technique. No significant correlations were found between IgE-antibody levels to any single storage mite and D. pteronyssinus. There was no correlation between the RAST results to A. siro and G. domesticus, whereas a significant correlation was found between L. destructor, G. domesticus and T. putrescentiae. The RAST inhibition studies confirmed the greater allergenic similarity between L. destructor, G. domesticus and T. putrescentiae than between A. siro and the other three storage mites. The results of our studies support the hypothesis that each of the storage mites and D. pteronyssinus possess their own unique allergen or allergens. Furthermore, L. destructor, G. domesticus and T. putrescentiae seem to be allergenically more closely related to each other than to A. siro.

Agriculture↗

PubMed1990

Prevalence of specific IgE to storage mites (A. siro, L. destructor and T. longior) in an urban population and crossreactivity with the house dust mite (D. pteronyssinus).

The role of pyroglyphid mites in house dust allergy is well established and the major allergens from the common house dust mites (Dermatophagoides species) have been characterized. There is, however, relatively little progress in the understanding of the human IgE response to non-pyroglyphid storage mites, allergenic crossreactivity with other mite species and extent of environmental exposure. We studied 196 individuals from an urban environment who were not occupationally exposed to storage mites and found a 24% prevalence of specific IgE antibody to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and a 14% prevalence of RAST positivity to at least one of three storage mites, Acarus siro, Lepidoglyphus destructor and Tyrophagus longior. All individuals with a positive RAST to storage mites had specific IgE to D. pteronyssinus. RAST inhibition studies with the eight sera with greater than 2% RAST binding to both families of mites showed considerable crossreactivity between D. pteronyssinus and the storage mites A. siro and T. longior and limited crossreactivity between D. pteronyssinus and L. destructor. This suggests that at least some of the response to storage mites observed by direct RAST is a consequence of crossreactivity with the more abundant D. pteronyssinus.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Monoclonal antibodies to Lepidoglyphus destructor: delineation of crossreactivity between storage mites and house dust mites.

We have developed monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) to the storage mite Lepidoglyphus destructor (Ld). Employing these anti-Ld MoAbs Ld-MoAbs) in ELISA and ELISA inhibition techniques we have analysed the reaction pattern of Ld-MoAbs to both non-pyroglyphid and pyroglyphid mites. The storage mite Glycyphagus domesticus (Gd) exhibited most efficient inhibition, followed by Acarus siro (As), Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Tp), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dpt) and Euroglyphus maynei (Em). Of the two pyroglyphid species, Dpt showed at least 1000 times less inhibition than Gd. Two of the MoAbs immunoprecipitated a band of 39 kD whereas the third reacted weakly, with a high-molecular band of approximately 110 kD. The Ld extract was also subjected to various reagents and conditions and the antigen was heat stable, it was not affected by low pH, or sensitive to dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) or paraformaldehyde. After exposure of the extract to various reagents, such as protease trypsin and periodate, we conclude that the epitopes recognized by Ld-MoAbs were of carbohydrate rather than of protein nature. It would thus seem that MoAbs recognize the carbohydrate part of a glycoprotein.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Comparison of allergic responses to dust mites in U.K. bakery workers and Swedish farmers.

The IgE RAST response to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and four storage mites (Lepidoglyphus destructor, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Glycyphaghus domesticus, and Acarus siro) was examined in 251 U.K. bakery workers and compared with that previously found in 440 Swedish farmers. Storage mites are found commonly in stored hay and grain so both these groups potentially encounter them in their work. In neither group of workers was a positive RAST (greater than or equal to 0.35 PRU) to D. pteronyssinus correlated with a positive RAST to a single storage mite. As in the Swedish farmers, significant though not strong correlations were found in the U.K. bakers between positive RAST responses to G. domesticus and L. destructor and to T. putrescentiae and L. destructor (P less than 0.05). Homologous and heterologous RAST inhibition studies showed there was low cross-reactivity between storage mites and D. pteronyssinus. L. destructor showed the least inhibition by the other antigens, suggesting it possessed the fewest common allergens. The most important difference in the IgE responses between the two groups was the much higher response to D. pteronyssinus in the U.K. bakers, which was not found in the Swedish farmers whose highest IgE response was to L. destructor.

Agriculture↗

PubMed1995

Crossreactivity between Dermatophagoides siboney and other house dust mite allergens in sensitized asthmatic patients.

BACKGROUND: The role of Pyroglyphid mites in IgE-mediated sensitization has been well established. Although mites belonging to the genus Dermatophagoides dominate in the acarofauna of domestic dust, non-pyroglyphid mites might also be of clinical importance. In Cuba, Dermatophagoides siboney is found in dust coexisting with D. pteronyssinus and Blomia tropicalis. Dermatophagoides farinae is not found. Storage mites, such as Acarus siro, Lepidoglyphus destructor and Tyrophagus putrescentiae, might also be present. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the allergenic relationships among the mites present in the environment of allergic patients in Cuba. METHODS: The crossreactivity between an extract of D. siboney and the above mentioned six mites was studied by specific IgE inhibition, using sera of mite-sensitive patients after incubation with serial dilutions of D. siboney. RESULTS: The inhibitory effect of D. siboney extract was more pronounced against D. farinae, 91%, than against D. pteronyssinus, 62%. Specific IgE to B. tropicalis, A. siro, L. destructor and T. putrescentiae were inhibited to a much lesser extent, i.e. between 47 and 58%. The correlation between IgE to D. siboney and IgE to D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae was of 0.92 and 0.90, respectively. A weaker correlation was found between D. siboney and L. destructor (0.7), A. siro (0.67), B. tropicalis (0.54) and T. putrescentiae (0.51). CONCLUSION: Thus, D. siboney seems to be most closely related to D. farinae.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Observations on the mite fauna associated with adult Stomoxys calcitrans in the U.K.

Adult females of the blood-sucking muscid Stomoxys calcitrans sampled between June and September 1993 from a cattle farm (n = 839) and from a pig farm (n = 542) in North-West England were examined for mites. Twelve species of mites from ten families and three orders were identified as follows. In the Prostigmata, Eryenetes sp., Family Ereynetidae and Pediculaster mesembrinae, Family Pygmephoridae. In the Astigmata, Procalvolia zacheri Family Saproglyphidae, Acarus farris, Family Acaridae, Bonomoia sphaerocerae and Myianoetus sp., Family Anoetidae. In the Mesostigmata, Macrocheles muscaedomesticae and Macrocheles subbadius Family Macrochelidae, Digamasellus sp., Family Digamasellidae, Halolaelaps sp., Family Halolaelapidae. Prodinychus sp., Family Uropodoidea and Thinoseius sp., Family Eviphididae. Mean infestation rates at the two sites (all mite species) for the entire sampling period were 31.6 +/- 13.9% and 19.8 +/- 3.6% respectively. 51% of synbovine flies sampled in July were infested with mites. Mean numbers of flies infested in August at both farms were significantly lower compared to other months. The presence of tritonymphs of Ereynetes sp. on S. calcitrans demonstrates for the first time that this life cycle stage is naturally associated with insects in the field. All mites were recovered from the ventral thorax and abdomen, and two or more species commonly infested individual flies. Associations of mites with their dipteran hosts are described and discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

The clinical effect of environmental control of house dust mites in 60 house dust mite-sensitive dogs.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of benzyl benzoate, an acaricide for the control of house dust mites, in 60 house dust mite-sensitive dogs. All dogs showed positive reactions on intradermal skin testing for house dust mites (Dermatophagoides farinae, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) alone, or house dust mites with storage mites (Acarus siro, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Glycophagus domesticus). House dust samples from the owners' houses were collected and sent to the clinic, where the authors performed a test (Acarex test) to semi-quantify the amount of guanine, a house dust mite product. Treatment with benzyl benzoate was repeated until the house dust samples were negative for house dust mite guanine. After treatment, 29 out of 60 house dust mite-sensitive dogs (48%) showed no skin lesions or pruritus. Moderate results were achieved in 22 dogs (36%), with reduced pruritus and minimal skin lesions, but still requiring medication. In 13 dogs, this involved regular treatment (3-4 times a year) with antibiotics and anti-yeast medication, and in eight dogs, immunotherapy was used. One dog was controlled with essential fatty acids as monotherapy and one dog was controlled with immunotherapy and essential fatty acids. In the remaining nine dogs (15%), the pruritus remained the same, and these dogs were controlled with oral corticosteroids. These results indicate that house dust mite elimination is a useful tool in the management of house dust mite-sensitive dogs.

Animals↗

PubMed1982

Mites living in hay: an important allergen source?

Fifty-two farmers and 21 non-farmers with symptoms related to hay contact were investigated. Skin prick tests (SPT) and RAST were performed with an extract made of barn dust (BDE) consisting of hay remnants. At microscopy, the barn dust was found to contain large amounts of dead mites, most of them identified as Lepidoglyphus destructor and Acarus siro. Twenty-one patients (9 farmers and 12 non-farmers) had positive RAST or BDE, with a good correlation to the case histories. Other allergies, especially to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, pollens, and animal danders were also common among patients. However, there was no correlation between positive SPT and RAST to BDE and any other allergen tested. This indicates that BDE contains distinct allergens, most likely of mite origin.

Allergens↗

PubMed1987

Storage mite allergy among grain elevator workers.

A total of 139 workers (71% of the available work force) in four grain elevator stores in Aalborg, Denmark, participated in a cross-sectional study on the prevalence of storage mite allergy among grain elevator workers. All underwent interview, prick test with a standard panel of allergens and the storage mites Acarus siro, Lepidoglyphus destructor and Tyrophagus putrescentiae, RAST to the three above-mentioned storage mites plus Glycyphagus domesticus and wheat, measurement of serum total IgE, and spirometry. Pulmonary symptoms were present among 44%, nasal and eye symptoms among 48%. Thirty-one per cent complained of work-related respiratory symptoms. Fourteen per cent of these workers had only nasal symptoms. Comparing the prick test result and the history, 6.4% had respiratory storage mite allergy, while 15.9% were sensitized to storage mites. Storage mites seem to be the most important allergen among grain elevator workers in Denmark. Faunistic examination of samples of grain and dust showed that storage mites, in particular A. siro, L. destructor and T. longior, were found in 73% of grain samples, while all dust samples contained mites.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Storage mite allergy among bakers.

Allergy to storage mites has been shown among farmers and grain elevator workers. This study aimed to examine whether bakers also are sensitized to storage mites. Twenty-three bakers or other employees in bakeries suffering from nasal or pulmonary symptoms were compared with 17 control persons with no relation to bakery work or agriculture. All participants underwent skin prick test with a standard panel of allergens, four types of flour and the storage mites Acarus siro, Lepidoglyphus destructor and Tyrophagus putrescentiae, RAST to storage mites and flour, and measurement of total IgE. We found no difference between the baker group and the control group in prevalence and strength of positive skin prick test or RAST to any of the three storage mite species. In the baker group positive RAST to flour was related to positive RAST to A. siro and L. destructor, but not T. putrescentiae. Almost all bakers sensitized to flour were also sensitized to storage mites (6 of 7). We suggest that if a baker become sensitized to flour he will be more prone to develop specific IgE towards storage mites too.

Animals↗