Risk of exposure of a selected rural population in South Poland to allergenic mites. Part II: acarofauna of farm buildings

Abstract

Exposure to mite allergens, especially from storage and dust mites, has been recognized as a risk factor for sensitization and allergy symptoms that could develop into asthma. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of mites in debris and litter from selected farm buildings of the Małopolskie province, South Poland, with particular reference to allergenic and/or parasitic species as a potential risk factor of diseases among farmers. Sixty samples of various materials (organic dust, litter, debris and residues) from farm buildings (cowsheds, barns, chaff-cutter buildings, pigsties and poultry houses) were subjected to acarological examination. The samples were collected in Lachowice and Kurów (Suski district, Małopolskie). A total of 16,719 mites were isolated including specimens from the cohort Astigmatina (27 species) which comprised species considered as allergenic (e.g., Acarus siro complex, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Lepidoglyphus destructor, Glycyphagus domesticus, Chortoglyphus arcuatus and Gymnoglyphus longior). Species of the families Acaridae (A. siro, A. farris and A. immobilis), Glycyphagidae (G. domesticus, L. destructor and L. michaeli) and Chortoglyphidae (C. arcuatus) have been found as numerically dominant among astigmatid mites. The majority of mites were found in cowsheds (approx. 32%) and in pigsties (25.9%). The remaining mites were found in barns (19.6%), chaff-cutter buildings (13.9%) and poultry houses (8.8%). The results suggest that the allergenic mites may constitute an occupational hazard for agricultural workers in all farming environments examined.

Identification the Cross-Reactive or Species-Specific Allergens of Tyrophagus putrescentiae and Development Molecular Diagnostic Kits for Allergic Diseases

“…Inhaled allergens are considerable factors in the genesis of allergic diseases. The ubiquitous presence of T. putrescentiae in urban and rural settings is an important occupational hazard in agricultural environments or a common allergy-provocation factor in household surroundings [ 29 ]. In view of existence abundance and high allergenicity, the house dust mite D. pteronyssinus , D. farinae and storage mite T. putrescentiae are at high levels of infestation and associated with airway hypersensitivity for the development of allergic diseases [ 30 , 31 ].…”

Exposure levels of animal allergens, endotoxin, and β-(1,3)-glucan on a university campus of veterinary medicine

“…The concentrations were about 100-times higher for DM allergens, about 400-times higher for β-(1,3)-glucan and 2000-times higher for endotoxin compared to the control area. Investigations of acarofauna in various European countries have shown high population densities of numerous mite species in diverse farm buildings [47][48][49]. Several studies conducted in different animal clinics have also shown that substantial bio-aerosol exposure (inhalable dust, endotoxin and β-(1,3)-glucan) occurs especially when handling farm animals and horses.…”

The Identification of Potential Immunogenic Antigens in Particular Active Developmental Stages of the Rice Weevil (Sitophilus oryzae)

“…The storage mites are inhaled by the grain storage workers, irritate their mucous membranes, and lead to asthma [1]. Mites also attack the skin of food storage employees, causing its redness, eczema, and itching [4][5][6][7]. Similar to stored mites, the stored insects also can cause human allergies [8].…”

“…Similar to stored mites, the stored insects also can cause human allergies [8]. Consumption of flour products containing milled insect cuticles may result in inflammation and intestinal disorders in people and animals [5,[9][10][11][12][13][14][15].…”