title: Mite exposure in a Spanish Mediterranean region.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Knowledge of the domestic mite fauna and allergen levels is important for a correct diagnosis and treatment of mite allergy. Our objectives were to describe the domestic mite fauna in the region of Murcia, Spain, to quantify mite allergens in dust samples obtained from mattresses of this area and to assess the influence of geographical, climatic and dwelling factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dust samples were collected in a transversal descriptive study from mattresses of 51 patients who went to the Allergology Service, and from mattress of 81 neighbours or family members of these patients. A questionnaire about home environment was filled in and obtained by all participants. Mite identification was done by light microscopy and allergen determinations (Der p 1 and Der f 1) by monoclonal antibodies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen mite species were identified in the 132 dust samples collected. The most frequent species were Dermatophagoides farinae (36% of the samples), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (32%) and Tyrophagus putrescentiae (5.3%). There were significant differences among climatic regions. The coastal sector had greater mite abundance, being D. pteronyssinus more frequent and abundant than D. farinae. In inland areas D. farinae was the predominant mite species. Allergen levels correlated with the concentration of Dermatophagoides, with higher levels detected in coastal regions. Average annual temperature was the main outdoor factor that correlated with higher mite concentrations. Indoor main predictor of higher levels of mites was the presence of obvious signs of humidity in the home.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates the existence of a mite fauna dominated by D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae with a strong influence of climatic factors and residential characteristics.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Alergia, Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Pagán
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Huertas
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Iraola
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ramírez
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Martos
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Carnés
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D060829:Arthropod Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D001512:Bedding and Linens / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002980:Climate; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity / Q000009:adverse effects; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D039981:Pyroglyphidae / Q000276:immunology; D013030:Spain; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D060829:Arthropod Proteins; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; C451159:Dermatophagoides farinae antigen f 1; C451162:Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus antigen p 1