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Background and
Objectives:
Mites are important
sources of allergens
in Galicia, Spain.
The objectives of
this study were to
identify the main
mite species and to
determine allergen
levels in mattresses
from different
locations in
Galicia.
Material and
Methods: Dust
samples were
collected with a
portable vacuum
cleaner for 2
minutes from 2 m2 of
the surface of the
mattress used by
mite allergic
patients and
controls. After
collection, samples
were immediately
frozen. Mite species
were collected,
identified, and
counted, and the
results expressed as
mites per gram of
dust.
Mite allergen levels
(Der p 1 and Der f
1) were measured
using monoclonal
antibodies. All
individuals answered
a questionnaire
about the
characteristics of
their homes.
Results: A
total of 332 dust
samples were
collected (112 from
mite allergic
patients and 220
from controls).
Thirty-two species
were identified. The
mean age ± SD of all
the participants was
32.4 ± 20.8 years
and of the
mattresses 7.6 ± 5.9
years. The geometric
mean of the total
mite counts was
910.2 mites per gram
(896.2 mites per
gram in the
mattresses of mite
allergic patients
and 917.3 in the
mattresses of
control subjects;
P >.05). The main
species was
Dermatophagoides
pteronyssinus, which
was present in 97.6%
of the samples (geometric
mean, 584.7 mites
per gram). The
geometric mean level
of Der p 1 was 13.1
μg/g of dust: 11.9
in the mattresses of
mite allergic
patients and 13.8 in
the mattresses of
control subjects.
The geometric mean
level of Der f 1 was
1.1 μg/g: 1.5 in the
mattresses of mite
allergic patients
and 0.8 in the
mattresses of
control subjects.
Environmental risk
factors associated
with high mite
counts included
obvious signs of
humidity in the
bedroom and the age
of the mattress.
Conclusions:
The mite fauna in
Galicia is comprised
of many species,
several of which are
known to be of
allergologic
importance. The
total population is
exposed to very high
levels of mite
allergens.
Key words:
Galicia. Mites.
Dermatophagoides
pteronyssinus.
Chortoglyphus
arcuatus.
Euroglyphus maynei.
Allergens |
