TITLE: The effects of season, climate, and air-conditioning on the prevalence of Dermatophagoides mite allergens in household dust.
AUTHORS: Lintner TJ; Brame KA
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Vespa Laboratories, Inc., Spring Mills, PA 16785.
SOURCE: J Allergy Clin Immunol 1993 Apr; 91(4): 862-7
CITATION IDS: PMID: 8473674 UI: 93232476
ABSTRACT:

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 1) and D. farinae allergen (Der f 1) were measured in 536 dust samples collected from 424 homes across the United States. RESULTS: There were distinct seasonal fluctuations of Der p 1 and Der f 1. Der p 1 rapidly increased to peak in July then gradually decreased through October. Der f 1 slowly rose to peak later, around September, before declining. Different climates in regions of the United States had no significant effect on the quantity of Der p 1 or Der f 1. However, regional climate differences seemed to influence the prevalence of either D. pteronyssinus or D. farinae. Air-conditioning significantly reduced (p<0.0001) Der 1 mite allergens detected in the dust samples, and a tendency existed for Der f 1 to be higher than Der p 1 in air-conditioned homes. There was a significant (p<0.01) interaction between air-conditioning and seasons. The most dramatic effect 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 effect on Dermatophagoides mite populations.