Rhizoglyphus echinopus (Acari: Acaridae) associated with Atta sexdens (Insecta: Formicidae) / Rhizoglyphus echinopus (Acari: Acaridae) associado a Atta sexdens (Insecta: Formicidae)

Four deutonymphs of bulb mites (hypopus) from Rhizoglyphus echinopus (Fumouze & Robin) (Acari: Acaridae) were found attached to the head of Atta sexdens in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This mite species is commonly associated with ornamental plants and trees with bulbs, corms and tubers. The results of this study provided an insight into the phoretic relationship between mites and ants, indicating the role of the latter in the dispersion of the first. Despite the abundant and diverse mite fauna existing in ants, little is known about their diversity, biology, ecology and the nature of their associations.(AU)

Quatro deutoninfas de ácaros do bulbo (hipopus) da espécie Rhizoglyphus echinopus (Fumouze & Robin) (Acari: Acaridae) foram encontradas fixadas na cabeça de formigas da espécie Atta sexdens no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Essa espécie de ácaro está comumente associada a plantas ornamentais e plantas com bulbos e tubérculos. Os resultados desse estudo fornecem uma visão sobre a relação forética entre ácaros e formigas, indicando o papel destas últimas na dispersão dos primeiros. Apesar da abundância e da fauna diversa do ácaro em formigas, pouco se sabe sobre a diversidade, a biologia, a ecologia e a natureza dessa associação.(AU)

Acute and chronic exposure to Tyrophagus putrescentiae induces allergic pulmonary response in a murine model

BACKGROUND: Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Tp) is a source of aeroallergen that causes allergic diseases. OBJECTIVE: To describe an acute and chronic murine model of allergic asthma with Tp extract with no systemic sensitization and no use of adjuvant. METHODS: Mites from dust sample were cultured and a raw extract was produced. Female BALB/c mice (6-8 weeks) were challenged intranasally with Tp extract or Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline, for 10 consecutive days (acute protocol) or for 6 weeks (chronic protocol). Twenty-four hours after the last intranasal challenge, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was performed for total and differential cells count, cytokine analysis, and eosinophil peroxidase activity. Lung tissue was also removed for histopathologic analysis. RESULTS: Tp extract has shown a significant increase in total cells count from BALF as well as an increase in absolute eosinophils count, eosinophil peroxidase activity, interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-13 levels, in both acute and chronic protocols. Peribronchovascular infiltrate, goblet cells hyperplasia and collagen deposition were shown in the airways of acute and chronic Tp-exposed mice. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the intranasal exposure to Tp extract, with no systemic sensitization and no use of adjuvants, induces a robust allergic inflammation in the lungs of mice, in both acute and chronic models. Our Tp extract seems to be a potent allergen extract which may be used in asthma model studies.

Sensitization study of dogs with atopic dermatitis in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul / Estudo da sensibilização de cães com dermatite atópica na região central do Rio Grande do Sul

Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a common dermatosis, defined as a genetic-related disease which predisposes to skin inflammation and pruritus, associated to a IgE-specific response in most of cases. Clinical diagnosis may be later complemented by skin allergy and/or serological tests. The aim of these tests is to identify possible allergens in order to enable the clinicians to select candidate antigens for allergen specific immunotherapy. In the present study 58 CAD positive animals were tested. All were submitted to the intradermal test (IDT) and screened for the presence of antibodies against different antigens using ELISA. The obtained results show a high prevalence of sensitization among the tested dogs to house dust mites and to pollen ofC. dactylon. With this work it was possible to identify the main allergens involved in immunological response of dogs with CAD living in central area of Rio Grande do Sul.

A dermatite atópica canina (DAC) é uma dermatose comum, definida como doença de cunho genético que predispõe à inflamação e ao prurido cutâneo, associados à resposta IgE específica na maior parte dos casos. O diagnóstico da DAC é clínico e pode ser posteriormente complementado por testes alérgicos cutâneos e/ou sorológicos. O objetivo desses testes é identificar possíveis alérgenos e, com isso, possibilitar ao clínico a seleção de antígenos candidatos para a imunoterapia alérgeno-específica. No presente estudo, foram testados 58 animais diagnosticados para DAC. Todos os animais foram submetidos ao teste cutâneo intradérmico (TID), e amostras de sangue foram coletadas para a realização de testes sorológicos. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram elevada prevalência de sensibilização aos ácaros domiciliares e ao pólen da gramínea C. dactylon nos cães testados. Com este trabalho, foi possível identificar os principais alérgenos envolvidos na resposta imunológica de cães atópicos residentes na região central do Rio Grande do Sul.

House dust mite allergy: environment evaluation and disease prevention

There are two groups of dust mites, house dust mites (HDMs) and storage mites (SMs), that have been identified in the household environment. Both could induce airway inflammation through activation of innate and adaptive immunity and lead to asthma. In order to monitor environmental dust mite infestation, different methods can be used to detect their presence, such as the use of floating methods, monoclonal antibodies, and nanostructured biosensor. SM could be identified in the storage room, mainly in contaminated food such as mushrooms and corn starch. In HDM-sensitive subjects and mice that were challenged with HDM or SM after sensitization, these mites could up-regulate IgE levels, T helper 2 associated cytokine production and airway hypersensitivity. Different age groups of subjects were sensitized by different species of mites. More subjects above 70 years were sensitized by SM and more subjects below the age of 40 years were sensitized to HDM. Different allergenic components of dust mite extracts, such as Der p 1, Der p 2, could activate innate immunity through activating pattern recognition receptor (PRR) and then lead to allergic inflammation. The best modality to treat HDM allergy is immunomodulation through Treg cells and IgA production. In the recent years, many studies indicated probiotics could increase IgA secretion and the number of Treg cells. However, some studies conducted in adults have contradictory effects in reducing allergic symptoms. Therefore, probiotics confer inconclusive benefits on the allergic symptoms.

Review on Ecology of House Dust Mites in Korea and Suggestion of a Standard Survey Method / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

A large number of house dust mites live in homes worldwide and produce the most important allergens which cause allergic diseases to the genetically predisposed individuals perennially. Herewith, the literatures published on the survey of dust mites in Korea were reviewed. In most studies, mites were isolated and investigated from the house dust samples collected by using household vacuum cleaners. Among more than 30 species of house dust mites recorded in Korea, Dermatophagoides farinae was found to be the most predominant species in homes, followed by D. pteronyssinus. House dust mites were most frequently encountered in dust from bedding samples followed by kitchen samples, in which Tyrophagus putrescentiae, a storage mite species, was the most frequently found species. The highest mite density and allergen concentration were shown in autumn. It would be useful if the standard method for the investigation of dust mite density is established for the field survey. Measuring the number of mites per unit area (1 m2) collected in a given time (2 minutes) using a house-hold vacuum cleaners equiped with nonwovens is suggested here as an objective and convenient method for the survey on house dust mites. Mites can be detected directly from fine dust samples using a stereomicroscope or isolated by technique utilizing saturated salt water. In the future, more field surveys and laboratory studies are necessary for the investigation on the relationship between house dust mites in homes and various allergic diseases.

Biological activity of the mite Sancassania sp. (Acari: Acaridae) from bat guano associated with the pathogenic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum

Mites and the mammal pathogenic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum are the major components of bat guano microbiota. Interactions between mites and H. capsulatum were evaluated under laboratory conditions. Acarid mites, mainly Sancassania sp., were the most abundant microarthropod in the sampled guano of the Mexican bat Tadarida brasiliensis mexicana and, based on its morphology, Sancassania sp. was similar to the cosmopolitan species Sancassania sphaerogaster. The mycophagous and vectoring activities of this mite were tested for H. capsulatum and two other fungal species, Sporothrix schenckii (pathogenic) and Aspergillus sclerotiorum (non-pathogenic). S. ca. sphaerogaster was able to reproduce in H. capsulatum and S. schenckii colonies, multiplying in great numbers under controlled fungal mycelial-phase culture conditions. H. capsulatum colonies were completely destroyed after 14 days of in vitro interaction with mites. In contrast, S. ca. sphaerogaster did not reproduce in A. sclerotiorum cultures. S. ca. sphaerogaster was found vectoring H. capsulatum, but not the two other fungal species studied.

Survey of insects and mites inhabiting leaves and soil of lantana camara L. in Assiut Governorate

This study was conducted throughout whole year of 2009 on lantana hedges bordering farms at cultivated land and newly reclaimed area in Assiut Governorate. The survey revealed the presence of four insect species [Aphis nasturtii Kaltenbach Bemisia tabaci [Gennadius]; Empoasca decipiens Paoli; Scolothrips Iongicornis Priesner], and two mite species [Tetranychus urticae Koch and Amblyseius sp.] on lantana leaves in the two studied areas. Additionally, eleven soil mite species belonging to ten families [Caloglyphus sp. Acaridae; Euphthiracarus sp. Euphthiracaridae; Galumna sp. Galumnidae; Sterroppia sp., Oppiella sp. Oppiidae; Ololaelaps bregetovae Laelapidae; Lasioseius quinisetosus Ascidae; Parasitus sp. Parasitidae; Acaropsella notchi Cheyletidae; Pediculochelus sp. Pediculochelidae and Spinibdeila sp. Bdellidae] were recorded. The population density of A. nasturtii, B. tabaci E. decipiens and Amblyseius sp, was more abundant at newly reclaimed area, while T. urticae and S. longicornis were more abundant at cultivated land. Also, the newly reclaimed area harbored higher numbers of soil mites than that of cultivated land. The Cryptostigmata species exhibited the higher number followed by Astigmata and Mesostigmata, while low numbers of the Prostigmata were recorded in the cultivated land and newly reclaimed area

Sensitization to Storage Mite Allergen in Children with Allergic Diseases / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

No abstract available.

Population dynamics of Aceria guerreronis Keifer (Acari: Eriophyidae) and associated predators on coconut fruits in Northeastern Brazil / Dinâmica populacional de Aceria guerreronis Keifer (Acari: Eriophyidae) e predadores associados em frutos de coqueiro no Nordeste do Brasil

Aceria guerreronis Keifer can cause severe damage to coconuts in several countries around the world. Rare studies have been conducted to determine the predatory mites associated with A. guerreronis in Brazil. The study evaluated the prevalence of A. guerreronis and associated predators on the bracts and on the surface of the fruits underneath the bracts, for 12 months, on coconut palms grown along the coast of the States of Alagoas, Paraíba and Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil. Mites of 10 families were found, but by far the most abundant species was A. guerreronis, corresponding to 99.5 percent of the mites collected. The prevailing species amongst the predators were the Phytoseiidae mites Neoseiulus baraki (Athias-Henriot) and Neoseiulus paspalivorus (De Leon). These are flat mites that have short limbs, characteristics that allow them to invade the main habitat occupied by A. guerreronis. Other predators were found, but in low numbers, due mainly to their difficulty in reaching the fruit areas most inhabited by A. guerreronis. However, these mites could prey on that pest when it leaves its preferred habitat to disperse. No significant correlations were observed between the levels of abiotic factors and the population levels of A. guerreronis or of the phytoseiids associated with it. This probably occurred due to the simultaneous and conflicting effects of those factors on the mites in the field, or to significant differences between the climatic factors measured in the environment and those prevailing in the habitat occupied by A. guerreronis.

Aceria guerreronis Keifer pode causar danos severos em coqueiro em vários países ao redor do mundo. Raros estudos têm sido conduzidos para determinar os ácaros predadores associados com A. guerreronis no Brasil. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a prevalência de A. guerreronis e dos predadores associados nas brácteas e na superfície dos frutos abaixo delas, durante 12 meses, em frutos de coqueiro adulto ao longo da costa de Alagoas, Paraíba e Pernambuco, no Nordeste do Brasil. Ácaros de 10 famílias foram encontrados, contudo a espécie mais abundante foi A. guerreronis, correspondendo a 99,5 por cento dos ácaros coletados. Dentre as espécies predadoras prevaleceram os ácaros Phytoseiidae Neoseiulus baraki (Athias-Henriot) e Neoseiulus paspalivorus (De Leon). Estes são achatados e possuem pernas curtas, características que lhes permitem invadir o habitat ocupado por A. guerreronis. Outros predadores foram encontrados, mas em número bem menor, provavelmente pela dificuldade que têm em penetrar nas áreas comumente habitadas por A. guerreronis. Contudo, essas espécies têm potencial de predação sobre o ácaro quando este sai de seu habitat preferido para se dispersar. Não se observaram correlações significativas entre os níveis de fatores abióticos e os níveis populacionais de A. guerreronis ou dos fitoseídeos associados a essa espécie. Isso provavelmente se deu devido aos efeitos simultâneo e conflitante daqueles fatores sobre os ácaros no campo, ou a diferenças significativas entre os fatores climáticos medidos no ambiente e aqueles prevalentes no habitat ocupado por A. guerreronis.

Navia, a replacement generic name for Euterpia Navia & Flechtmann (Prostigmata: Eriophyoidea: Eriophyidae)

Navia nom. nov. is proposed for Euterpia Navia & Flechtmann, 2005 (Prostigmata: Eriophyoidea), preoccupied by Euterpia Bondar, 1942 (Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

Navia nom. nov. é proposto para substituir Euterpia Navia & Flechtmann, 2005 (Prostigmata: Eriophyoidea), pré-ocupado por Euterpia Bondar, 1942 (Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

Sobrevivência do ácaro Acarophenax lacunatus (Cross & Krantz) (Prostigmata: Acarophenacidae) na ausência de alimento / Survival of the mite Acarophenax lacunatus (Cross & Krantz) (Prostigmata: Acarophenacidae) under starvation

A habilidade de um inimigo natural de suportar a inanição aumenta suas chances de sobrevivência na ausência de alimento, o que é um fator importante para seu sucesso em ambientes de armazenamento de grãos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a sobrevivência de Acarophenax lacunatus (Cross & Krantz) na ausência de alimento. O experimento consistiu na utilização de fêmeas de A. lacunatus em processo de fisogastria, individualizadas em placas de Petri (5 cm diâmetro) e mantidas às temperaturas de 20, 25, 28, 30 e 32°C, 50 ± 5 por cento de U.R. e escotofase de 24h. O número de ácaros vivos foi contabilizado a cada 6h, avaliando-se assim, a sobrevivência da progênie de A. lacunatus sob regime de inanição, nas diferentes temperaturas. Nas temperaturas de 30°C e 32°C, os indivíduos de A. lacunatus morreram até 60h enquanto nas temperaturas de 20, 25 e 28°C a mortalidade ocorreu após 108h na ausência de alimento. O tempo médio para a morte dos indivíduos da progênie de A. lacunatus foi de 58,6h nas temperaturas abaixo de 28°C e de 39,3h para as temperaturas mais altas. Os ácaros submetidos à inanição tenderam a viver mais em temperaturas baixas, o que talvez seja explicado pela diminuição do seu metabolismo. Entretanto, A. lacunatus conseguiu sobreviver por cerca de 90h à temperatura de 28°C, a qual é comumente observada em regiões tropicais e subtropicais, o que pode favorecer sua utilização para o controle de insetos de produtos armazenados nessas regiões.

The ability of a natural enemy to tolerate starvation increases its chances to survive in the absence of food, what is an important factor for its success in storage grain environment. The objective of the present work was to assess the survival of Acarophenax lacunatus (Cross & Krantz) in the absence of food. The experiment used individualized physogastric females of A. lacunatus placed in petri dishes (5 cm diameter) and maintained at 20, 25, 28, 30 and 32°C, 50 ± 5 percent R.H. and 24h scotophase. The number of live mites was recorded every 6h thus assessing the progeny survival without food at different temperatures. The mites died within 60h at the temperatures 30°C and 32°C, while they survived for up to 108h at 20, 25 and 28°C. The mean lethal time for death was 58.6h for the lowest temperatures and 39.3h for the highest temperatures. Thus, A. lacunatus subjected to starvation lived longer under lower temperatures, what is probably due to its lower metabolism. In contrast, the mites survived for about 90h at 28°C, temperature commonly observed in tropical and subtropical climates, what may favor their use as control agents of stored product insects in these regions.

Dispersão de Acarophenax lacunatus (Cross & Krantz) (Prostigmata: Acarophenacidae) em trigo armazenado, sob condições artificiais / Dispersion of Acarophenax lacunatus (Cross & Krantz) (Prostigmata: Acarophenacidae) in stored wheat, under artificial conditions

A habilidade de dispersar é fundamental para o êxito de um inimigo natural em situações de armazenamento de grãos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a capacidade do ácaro Acarophenax lacunatus (Cross & Krantz) se dispersar e localizar o hospedeiro Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) em uma massa de grãos. O experimento consistiu na liberação de fêmeas fisogástricas de A. lacunatus na superfície de uma massa de grãos de trigo, no interior de frascos de vidro, os quais continham placas de Petri (5 cm de diâmetro) com 20 adultos de R. dominica, em diferentes profundidades (4, 8, 12, 16 e 20 cm da superfície). As placas de Petri foram cobertas com organza para evitar o escape dos insetos. A dispersão da progênie dessas fêmeas fisogástricas foi avaliada 10, 20 e 30 dias após o início dos experimentos. Os ácaros foram capazes de se dispersar, sendo encontrados em todas as profundidades e em todos os períodos avaliados. Entretanto, o número de A. lacunatus diminuiu à medida que a profundidade aumentou, com altos valores observados nas profundidades iniciais após 20 e 30 dias de armazenamento. É possível que avaliações conduzidas em períodos maiores que 30 dias da liberação do parasita possam demonstrar um aumento no parasitismo em profundidades maiores. Os resultados indicam que A. lacunatus se dispersa ativamente, até 20 cm de profundidade, sem o auxílio de um hospedeiro para a foresia.

Ability to disperse is fundamental for a successful natural enemy in a stored grain environment. The objective of the present work was to assess whether the mite Acarophenax lacunatus (Cross & Krantz) disperses in a grain mass to locate its host Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae). The experiment was based on the release of physogastric females of A. lacunatus on the surface of glass containers containing Petri dishes with 20 adults of R. dominica at different depths (4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 cm). The Petri dishes were covered with voil to prevent insect escape. Dispersion of the progeny of these physogastric females was assessed 10, 20 and 30 days after the beginning of the experiment. The mites were able to disperse and they were observed at every depth and at every period of assessment. Nonetheless, the number of A. lacunatus decreased with the increasing depth, with highest values observed at the lowest depths after 20 and 30 days of storage. It is possible that evaluations conducted in periods longer than 30 days of the parasite release could demonstrate an increase in parasitism at higher depths. The results indicated that A. lacunatus actively disperse for up to 20 cm on its own, without the assistance of its host for phoresy.

Associação entre sensibilidade aos antiinflamatórios não esteroidais e sensibilização ao ácaro de estocagem G. domesticus / Association between non-steroidal anti-inflammatory sensibility and sensitivity to G. domesticus a storage mite

Objetivo: Embora se saiba que a sensibilização aos ácarosde estocagem está associada à sensibilidade aos antiinflamatórios não esteroidais (AINE), não existem dados sólidos estabelecendo que a correlação inversa exista. Nós realizamos um ensaio de observação transversal para determinar se sensibilidade a AINE pode ser prevista pela sensibilidade a ácaros de estocagem.Métodos: Cem pacientes voluntários, consistindo de pessoas com idade entre 9 e 69 anos que procuravam o ambulatório de alergia, foram selecionados baseados no diagnóstico de sensibilidade a AINE. Teste de puntura para determinar a sensibilidade aos diferentes extratos alergênicos foram realizados e uma medida à cega do tamanho da pápula obtido. Uma entrevista foi também feita para estabelecer a presença de sensibilidade ao AINE. Mediu-se a associação entre a sensibilidade a cada extrato alergênico e o diagnóstico de sensibilidade a AINE. Regressão logística foi usada para determinar o modelo que mais predizia a sensibilidade a AINE usando cada ou a combinação do resultado dos extratos. A associação foi considerada estatisticamente importante se o valor de p fosse menor que 0.05. Resultados: Os testes para os extratos de G. domesticus (p=0.0084, qui-quadrado), B. kulagini (p=0.0407, qui-quadrado), D. farinae (p=0.026, qui-quadrado), A. ovatus (p=0.0386,qui-quadrado) e T. putrescentiae (p=0.0428, qui-quadrado)determinaram associação significativa com AINE, porém odiagnóstico de atopia foi um confundidor para todos os extratos exceto um. O extrato alergênico do G. domesticus foi único na sua capacidade de prever o diagnóstico de sensibilidade a AINE (SqrtMS = 14,097 p<0,05 por regressão logística). Conclusões: O diagnóstico de sensibilidade a AINE pode ser previsto pelo teste de puntura usando um extrato alergênico de G. domesticus e um valor elevado para um questionário de entrevista em condições baseadas em um hospital.(au)

Ácaros em produtos armazenados comercializados em supermercados e feiras livres da cidade do Recife / Mites in stored foods commercialized in supermarkets and markets in Recife

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a acarofauna em grãos de feijão, milho e ração em supermercados e feiras livres da cidade do Recife, PE. Em cada estabelecimento foi coletada uma amostra de 500 g de cada grão e ração, em intervalos bimensais, no período de agosto/2002 a junho/2003. Cada amostra foi dividida em duas sub-amostras de 250 g. Uma delas foi submetida à extração de ácaros logo após a coleta e a outra foi incubada a 26°C e umidade relativa de 78 por cento por 30 dias. Ao final desse período a segunda sub-amostra foi processada da mesma forma que a primeira. Os ácaros foram montados em lâminas para microscopia em meio de Hoyer e identificados pelo menos até o nível de gênero. Foram coletados 11.956 ácaros pertencentes às famílias Acaridae, Ebertiidae, Glycyphagidae, Cheyletidae, Stigmaeidae, Pyemotidae, Tarsonemidae, Tydeidae, Cunaxidae, Ameroseiidae, Ascidae e Phytoseiidae. Dentre os ácaros primários, a espécie Suidasia medanensis Oudemans foi a predominante no levantamento (3.035 indivíduos), seguida de Caloglyphus hughesi (Samsinak) (436 indivíduos). Metapronematus sp. foi predominante (3.417 indivíduos), dentre os ácaros secundários, seguido de Tarsonemus granarius Lindquist (3.003). O número de ácaros coletados nas amostras incubadas foi sempre superior em relação às amostras não incubadas, assim como nas amostras de feira livre em relação às de supermercado.

The mite fauna was assessed in bean, maize and pet food in supermarkets and markets in Recife, PE, Brazil. A 500 g sample of each grain and food was collected in each establishment at two weekly intervals, from August 2002 to June 2003. The sample was divided into two 250 g sub-samples. One of them was submitted to spider mite evaluation shortly after collection and the other was incubated at 26°C and 78 percent humidity for 30 days. At the end of this period the second sub-sample was processed in the same way as the first. The spider mites were mounted on slides for microscopy in Hoyer medium and identified at least at genus level. Eleven thousand nine hundred and fifty-six spider mites were collected belonging to the Acaridae, Ebertiidae, Glycyphagidae, Cheyletidae, Stigmaeidae, Pyemotidae, Tarsonemidae, Tydeidae, Cunaxidae, Ameroseiidae, Ascidae e Phytoseiidae families. Among the primary spider mites the Suidasia medanensis Oudemans species was predominant in the survey (3,035 individuals) followed by Caloglyphus hughesi (Samsinak) (436 individuals). Metapronematus sp. was predominant (3,417 individuals) among the secondary spider mites followed by Tarsonemus granarius Lindquist (3,003). The number of mites collected in the incubated samples was always greater compared to the non-incubated samples in both the market and supermarket samples.

Ácaros em amostras de poeira de tapetes na cidade de Campinas / Mites in dust samplings from rugs in the city of Campinas

Objetivo: investigar a fauna acarina presente em amostras de poeira de tapetes de resid6encias na cidade de Campinas, Brasil. Métodos: um total de 92 amostras (47 amostras de tapetes presentes em quartos e 45 de tapetes em salas de estar), coletadas em 58 residências foram incluídas no estudo. As amostras foram analisadas por microscópio óptico utilizando o meio de Hoyer com fixador. Resultados: Os resultados demostraram um total de 483 corpos de ácaros (média +/- DP:5,2 +/- 4,9 ácaros/lâmina; variação de 0 a 25 ácaros/lâmina). Desse total, 280 e 203 destes presentes nas amostras dos quartos e da sala, respectivamente. As famílias mais prevalentes foram: Pyroglyphidae (n=392; 81,2% do total)- sobretudo Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Glycyphagidae (n=45; 9,3%) - Blomia tropicalis, e Cheyletidae (n=19; 3,9%) - Cheyletus spp. Não se observou diferença significativa na concentração acarina nas amostras da sala de estar e do quarto. Conclusões: as amostras de poeira de tapetes da sala de estar e do quarto de dormir apresentaram fauna e concentração acarinas, sendo o ácaro D.pteronyssinus o mais prevalente.

A case of bronchial asthma due to Tyrophagus putrescentiae in a non occupational setting / 천식및알레르기

Storage mites are believed one of the most important allergens in farmers and rural regions. Tyrophagus putrescentiae, belonging to storage mites, is found not only within storehouses but also in the house dust, and the third most common mites following Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus in house dust in Korea. The sensitization rate to Tyrophagus putrescentiae was reported as high as that of house dust mite in patients visiting the allergy clinic in large cities in Korea. We experienced a 69-year-old man who had suffered from dyspnea, wheezing, and coughing for 10 years. He retired from the teaching profession, and had lived in a large city, Deajeon. The skin prick test showed a positive reaction to Tyrophagus putrescentiae and negative reactions to house dust mites. The bronchial challenge test with Tyrophagus putrescentiae showed late asthmatic reaction. We confirmed a Tyrophagus putrescentiae-induced asthma in non occupational setting.

Tyrophagus putrescentiae: An imporiant allergen in Daejeon / 천식및알레르기

BACKGROUND: Tyrophagus putrescentiae is one of the storage mites found not only within storehouses but also in the house dust, and is known as the third most common mite following Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae in houses in Korea. There has been few reports on its sensitization rate in this country. OBJECT: The aim of this study was to evaluate its sensitization rate and clinical features of T. putrescentiae sensitized patients with allergic diseases in Daejeon area. METHODS: Skin prick tests with 33 common inhalant allergens including Tetranychus urticae and T. putrescentiae were done in 308 allergy patients who had visited Allergy Clinic of Eulji University Hospital from June, 2001 to April, 2002, and their clinical characteristics of these patients were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 193(62.7%) out of 308 patients showed positive responses to more than one allergen. The prevalence of sensitization was highest for mites(51.9%) followed by cockroach (25.0%), weeds pollens(17.5%), animal epithelium(16.9%), fungi(16.2%), grasses pollens(15.6%) and tree pollens(14.6%). Among mites, sensitization rate to T. urticae was highest as 128 (41.6%), followed by D. farinae, 96(31.2%), T. putrescentiae, 95(30.8%), and D. pteronyssinus, 92(29.9%). Among positive responders to mites, eight patients with perennial asthma were sensitized to T. putrescentiae only. Sensitization to D. farinae and animal epithelium were more prevalent in Deajeon city compared to surrounding rural areas (for D. farinae, 72/203(35.5%) vs. 24/105(22.9%) respectively. P=.024, and for animal epithelium, 42/203(20.7%) vs. 10/105 (9.5%) respectively. P=.013). CONCLUSION: Tyrophagus putrescentiae was one of the most common inhalant allergens as well as house dust mite and two spotted spider mite in patients visiting an Allergy Clinic in Daejeon area. Further study will be needed to elucidate the clinical significance of T. putres-centiae -sensitized patients.

The prevalence of baker s asthma due to wheat sensitization in baking factory workers / 천식및알레르기

BACKGROUND: Baker's asthma is a common occupational respiratory disease and its prevalence rate varies from 15% to 30% of the workers in foreign countries. It has been reported mainly in bakers and millers due to sensitization to wheat, rye, storage mites, and several enzymes etc. But, the main allergen of baker's asthma is wheat. As there is an increase of consumption of food made of wheat due to westernized life style, it is expected that the prevalence of baker's asthma is increasing or already increased. But, there has been no study to investigate the prevalence of baker's asthma in this country. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of baker's asthma due to wheat sensitization in baking factory workers. METHOD: A total of 147 bakers (age 32.6+/-8.2 years, male 63%) were enrolled in this study. They responded to a modified ISSAC questionnaire and underwent methacholine bronchial challenge test, and skin prick test with common inhalant allergens and work-related allergens including commercial wheat antigen, bread flour, and cake flour antigen prepared in our laboratory. And specific bronchial challenge test with wheat extract was performed to volunteers. RESULTS: The atopic prevalence based on skin prick test was 43% (63/147), and wheat sensitization rate (including commercial wheat, bread flour and cake flour antigen) was 15% (22/147). The risk factors for wheat sensitization were atopy, long duration occupied in baking process, and current or past work history in mixing and/or measuring part where wheat flour exposure was relatively high (p<0.05). Wheat sensitization was highly associated with bronchial hyperresponsiveness, work related symptoms such as asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and dermatitis (p<0.05) respectively. The prevalence of current asthma based on questionnaire and methacholine bronchial challenge test was 8% (11/147 bakers). Of these, 8 bakers were sensitized to wheat antigen, and all of them except one baker complained of work-related symptoms. These seven bakers were highly suspected of baker's asthma due to wheat sensitization. Two of these seven bakers showed early asthmatic response on specific broncho-provocation test. CONCLUSION: Wheat sensitization rate was 15%, The prevalence of baker's asthma due to wheat sensitization was 5% in baking factory workers and it's risk factors were atopy, long duration occupied in baking process, and current or past work history in mixing and/or measuring part of baking process.

The Allergenicity of the Storage Mites(Tyrophagus Putrescentiae and Acarus Siro) in Patients with Allergic Rhinitis / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Storage mites, Tyrophagus putrescentiae (TP) and Acarus siro (AS), known as the major causative allergens to people who deal with stored foods and grains, may occur more frequently in house dust than expected. During the recent 6 months, positive reactions to TP and AS were observed as frequently as those to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (DP) in patients with allergic rhinitis in Pusan. The purpose of this study was to identify allergenic components within TP and AS, and evaluate the cross reactivity with DP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using extracts of DP, TP and AS, prepared after dialysis and lyophilization, allergenic components were identified using SDS-PAGE and western blotting. Cross reactivity among them were evaluated by inhibition tests using pharmacia CAP system. RESULTS: The protein components of DP, TP and AS, showed different patterns in SDS-PAGE. Molecular weight of major IgE binding components of TP were 17 kD, 25 kD and 67 kD, and those of AS were 18 kD, 19 kD, 25 kD and 27 kD. TP- or AS-specific IgE was partially inhibited by DP extract; however, DP-specific IgE was not significantly inhibited either by TP or AS extract. Significant inhibition were noted between TP and AS. CONCLUSION: TP and AS may share common allergens with DP. However, sensitization to TP or AS was also suspected in some cases. The percentage of Acaridae family in Pusan was 12% of total mites. Therefore, storage mites should be considered as causative allergens and included in allergy test battery.

Study of the weight of eggs from six ixodid species from Brazil

Eggs from engorged females of six ixodidae species (Ixodes Iocatus, Amblyomma rotundatum, A. cajennense, Haemaphysalis leporis-palustris, Boophilus microplus, Dermacentor nitens) maintained in laboratory were counted to calculate the number and mean weight in Ig of eggs from each species. Phylogenetic considerations are discussed based on the results.