An association between symptoms and residential mold growth has been consistently observed in several countries, but the contribution of dust mites and bacterial endotoxins to this relation has not been established. To address this issue, we studied a sample of 403 Canadian elementary school children during the winter months. Reported mold growth was compared to respiratory and nonspecific symp...

The aim of this study is to analyze the distribution characteristics specific allergens based on immunoglobulin E (IgE) test, performed using sera patients with allergic diseases in Shanxi region China. Sera from 3141 were analyzed immunoblotting for IgE antibodies inhaled and ingested allergens. association factors such as disease profile, sex, age, cosensitization who tested positive analyzed...

Gamma-interferon-inducible lysosomal thiol reductase (GILT) is known to reduce disulfide bonds present in proteins internalized by antigen presenting cells, facilitating optimal processing and presentation of peptides on Major Histocompatibility Complex class II molecules, as well as the subsequent activation of CD4-positive T lymphocytes. Here, we show that GILT is required for class II-restri...

Of 100 asthmatic patients prick tested for allergy to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, 88% were positive compared with only 14% of controls. A significantly greater proportion of dust samples from the houses of the asthmatics contained Dermatophagoides mites. The house-dust mite D. pteronyssinus, constituted 90% of the mites identified, other pyroglyphid mites, Cheyletus and Glycophagus making u...

BACKGROUND The role of mite allergen exposure in sensitization and development of asthma has been widely recognized. Previous studies have shown that Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Blomia tropicalis were the most prevalent house dust mites in Brazil, while D. farinae was rarely found. The aim of this study was to measure Der f 1 and Der p 1 allergen levels in Brazilian asthmatics' and contr...

BACKGROUND House dust mites have been considered the most important source of allergens for humans. These allergens have been encountered at different indoor sites, mainly on mattresses and pillows. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the number and different specimens of mites on Brazilian bunk-bed mattresses. METHODS Dust samples were collected once using a standardized method on the upper mattress sur...

Despite the sanitary importance of the European house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Trouessart, 1897), the pheromonal communication in this species has not been sufficiently studied. Headspace analysis using solid phase micro extraction (SPME) revealed that nerol, neryl formate, pentadecane, (6Z,9Z)-6,9-heptadecadiene, and (Z)-8-heptadecene are released by both sexes whereas neryl p...

This study was concerned with the correlation between skin test, bronchial provocation test, and histamine release from leucocytes and the serum level of total and allergen-specific IgE in patients atopic to house-dust mite allergen (Dermatophagiodes pteronyssinus) as measured by an intracutaneous skin test. It is concluded that, assuming a positive provocation test to be evidence of allergy, e...

BACKGROUND The effectiveness of acaricides in homes is controversial. OBJECTIVE To determine whether disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (DOT) combined with vacuuming lowers dust mite numbers and their allergens in carpets and sofas. METHODS A 6-month study was carried out with 93 homes, which were randomized into three groups: (i). active, received DOT; (ii). placebo, received water; and (iii...

The effect of two allergen avoidance modalities, Allergy Control Covers (ACC) and High Efficiency Particulate Filters (HEPA) on asthma control in children were evaluated. This was an open study involving 24 dust mite sensitive asthmatic children. Following a 4 week run-in period, the subjects were randomly allocated to use mattresses fitted with ACC (n = 6), HEPA filters in their bedrooms (n = ...