Mites in dust samples from mattress surfaces from single beds or cribs in the south Brazilian city of Londrina

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the mite fauna in mattresses dust samples from cribs or beds in the south Brazilian city of Londrina, State of Parana. A total of 133 dust samples from upper and lower mattress surfaces, and bed frames were aspirated once from 38 dwellings (18 cribs and 21 beds), and one day nursery (six cribs). A total of 758 mite bodies were counted in slides: 233 (30.7%) from cribs and 525 (69.3%) from beds (p<0.001). House dust mites--mainly Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, represented 72% and 84% of total mite count in crib and bed dust samples, respectively. The mean HDM body concentration in crib or bed slides were, respectively, 289.9+/-136.7 and 875.0+/-183.6 mites/g. Statistical analysis showed a significantly higher mite bodies count on lower mattress surface compared with upper surface in bed samples only (p=0.025). Data herein show that cribs like mattress have sufficient mite bodies to cause sensitization to humans. The use of mattress covers for cribs and beds should be encouraged in order to avoid allergens exposure.

Seasonal Dynamics of House Dust Mites in Dust Samples Collected From Sleeping Places in North‐Western Poland

“…Similar mean concentrations of D. pteronyssinus (the highest in the fourth quarter) in the analogous material were observed in southern and northern Poland (Solarz, 1997; Aloszko et al., 2004). Much higher mean concentrations (500 and more mites per 1 g of dust) than in this paper were found in Brazil and Malaysia (Mariana et al., 2000; Silva et al., 2005).…”

“…Similar mean concentrations of D. pteronyssinus (the highest in the fourth quarter) in the analogous material were observed in southern and northern Poland (Solarz, 1997;Aloszko et al, 2004). Much higher mean concentrations (500 and more mites per 1 g of dust) than in this paper were found in Brazil and Malaysia (Mariana et al, 2000;Silva et al, 2005). Taking into consideration two species: D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus examined in north-western Poland, we observed that their highest mean concentrations occurred in the NH season, although the relative air humidity in the H season was slightly higher.…”

“…This species occurred with similar frequency in cities of northern Poland (Racewicz, 2001), but in the south and central parts of the country it reached a significantly higher value, up to 44% (Samolinski et al., 1989; Solarz, 1998). The house dust samples from Great Britain, Brazil and Israel revealed an even higher frequency of this species, between 44% and 85% (Hewitt et al., 1973; Mumcuoglu et al., 1999; Silva et al., 2005). Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus has similar concentration values in first, third and fourth quarters and ranged from about 11 to 13 mites per gram of dust from apartments of north‐west Poland.…”

Environmental assessment and exposure control of dust mites: a practice parameter

“…Higher dust mite allergen levels are associated with wool bedding and inner-spring mattresses. 67 Although mattresses are major reservoirs of mite allergen, studies have shown significantly higher levels of mite allergen 68,69 and mite bodies 70,71 in mattress bases (box springs) than in mattresses.…”

Early Exposure to Respiratory Allergens by Placental Transfer and Breastfeeding

“…It is important to better understand all aspects of allergen exposure before we classify them as a protective or sensitizing factor. With this in mind, this study aimed to investigate the two main respiratory allergens for our geographic area [ 24 – 27 ] and whether specific antibodies could be transferred through trans-placental and breastfeeding routes.…”