The effects of season, climate, and air-conditioning on the prevalence of Dermatophagoides mite allergens in household dust

• Published in: Journal of allergy and clinical immunology Vol. 91; no. 4; pp. 862 - 867
• Main Authors: Lintner, Thomas J., Brame, Kathy A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Mosby, Inc 01.04.1993; Elsevier
• Subjects: Acari; Air Conditioning; allergen exposure; Allergens - analysis; Allergic diseases; Animals; Antigens - analysis; Antigens, Dermatophagoides; Biological and medical sciences; Climate; Dermatophagoides; Dermatophagoides farinae; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus; Dust; dust mites; Immunopathology; Medical sciences; Mites - immunology; Prevalence; Pyroglyphidae; Respiratory and ent allergic diseases; Seasons; allergen exposure; dust mites; Dermatophagoides; Air conditioning; Human; Respiratory disease; House dust; Acaridida; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus; Asthma; Climatic condition; Acariformes; Arachnida; Acari; Seasonal variation; Arthropoda; Pyroglyphidae; Obstructive pulmonary disease; Invertebrata; Allergen
• ISSN: 0091-6749; 1097-6825
• DOI: 10.1016/0091-6749(93)90343-E

Background: Clinical evidence reveals a strong relationship between dust mite allergen levels and asthma. This study suggests the relative importance and interactions among factors that influence mite allergen levels in human dwellings. Methods: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergen ( Der p I) and D. farinae allergen ( Der f I) were measured in 536 dust samples collected from 424 homes across the United States. Results: There were distinct seasonal fluctuations of Der p I and Der f I. Der p I rapidly increased to peak in July then gradually decreased through October. Der f I slowly rose to peak later, around September, before declining. Different climates in regions of the United States had no significant affect on the quantity of Der p I or Der f I. However, regional climate differences seemed to influence the prevalence of either D. pteronyssinus or D. farinae. Air-conditioning significantly reduced ( p < 0.001) Der I mite allergens detected in the dust samples, and a tendency existed for Der f I to be higher than Der p I in air-conditioned homes. There was a significant ( p < 0.01) interaction between air-conditioning and seasons. The most dramatic affect was observed during the summer months, the cooling season, from approximately May to September. Conclusions: These findings show that distinct seasonal fluctuations exist of D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae mite populations, and suggest that differences in the microclimate within homes may have a dramatic affect on Dermatophagoides mite populations.