Recovery of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Acariformes: Astigmata: Pyroglyphidae) is influenced by vacuuming protocol, fabric type and the viability of dust mites

Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Trouessart, 1897) (Acariformes: Astigmata: Pyroglyphidae) is amongst the most common house dust mites (HDMs) species in Europe. Vacuuming commonly employed as a method for recovery subsequent quantification of mite densities. The vacuuming protocols and their efficiencies are frequently unreported. In this study, constant-flow vacuum sampler was used to evaluate laboratory-reared D. from cotton, denim or fleece. Two were employed. Protocol 1 (P1) entailed single unidirectional pass head across fabrics 60, 90 120 seconds. For 2 (P2), vacuumed twice (laterally followed by diagonally) same time periods. carried out on seeded with live (LM), dead (DM), mites, which applied fabric surfaces 10 minutes then euthanized freezing prior sampling (EM). There significant difference (P<0.001) mean HDMs regard viability (LM, DM, EM), type (cotton, denim, fleece), duration (60, 90, 120s) (P1, P2). numbers recovered fleece (compared cotton denim) lower each treatment where LM EM deployed. Overall, use protocol resulted greatest percentage (>80%) all combined. Recovery rates also influenced entrapment (or active attachment) microstructure within weave. results have implications standardisation means vacuuming.