We like to think that students, teachers or even professionals will be using our site to research projects and understand the mite from another prospective. The following links we believe to be significant for research and general academic pursuits.
Evolutionary studies place the house dust mite (HDM) and the mange mite as close parasitic relatives. For the HDM the change to scavenger happened about 80 million years ago, but in making the change it retained its old lifestyle and a parasitic-like enzyme similar to the enzyme made by the mange mite.
During the third age of the dinosaurs known as the Cretaceous Period (145 to 66 million years ago) a tiny mange mite, previously living in colonies under the scales of warm- blooded dinosaurs, changed lifestyles to become a free-living scavenger.
In 1985 Japanese scientists seeking the cause of Kawasaki disease (a condition that can affect the blood vessels of young children) decided to investigate the gut contents of house dust mites for bacterial and fungal contaminants. What they found was an abundance of life infesting the mite, not all of it good news for humans.
The house dust mite 'Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus' is a tiny scavenger with a preference for eating mouldy old discarded human skin scales, but will also eat pollen grains, insect scales, bacteria and plant fibres. It has no sight, no respiratory system, cannot control its body temperature and lives by absorbing moisture and oxygen from the atmosphere. Mite droppings, which contain digestive enzymes, are a major cause of allergy and allergic disease worldwide. A single dropping can contain up to 14 separate and fully identified allergens.
Allergy is fast becoming an epidemic in the developed world and house dust mites are recognised as a major cause of asthma, rhinitis and dermatitis. Allergic disease is costly to the patient, to society, and asthma can kill.
Attention teachers. For students of all ages, below are the five steps that can be taken in the study of the house dust mite and why its ancient history, biology, and ecology can be the cause of allergic asthma, rhinitis and dermatitis. The depth of the study can be adjusted to reflect the age or requirement of each student or class.
Below are some astonishing mite and animal relationships that have evolved over millions of year of live on earth. Have a look through before going on to an important mite for human health 'Dermatophagoides' spp.
When people, usually with a family history of allergy, are repeatedly exposed to house dust mite (HDM) droppings they can develop a sensitivity to the digestive enzymes found in the droppings. If mite exposure continues, and their immune system consider the enzymes harmful, they risk developing house dust mite related allergic diseases of asthma, rhinitis, atopic dermatitis (eczema) and conjunctivitis.
A skin prick test is a safe method of introducing a small amount of allergen into the body in order to measure the strength of any allergic reaction. Timing for reactions can start 5 minutes after the test and peak about 30 minutes later. Skin prick testing can help confirm the diagnosis of an allergic disease.
Mites are most active and breed successfully at a temperature of 72 F or 20 C. In this warm indoor environment, a breeding mite must maintain its water weight at 75% in order to function. By reducing the moisture in the indoor air, the active mite will not be able to sustain this weight. Consequently, it will not be able to breed or thrive and the mite colony becomes threatened with extinction.
Ozone is an unstable, colourless, odourless gas that occurs naturally in the atmosphere from solar radiation and electrical storms or from electrical equipment such as photocopiers in the indoor environment.
House dust mite droppings consist of 3 to 5 food balls bound together by mucus. Each ball is wrapped in a semipermeable membrane. The dropping, containing scraps of undigested food and digestive enzymes, is then excreted. The enzymes help turn leftovers into future food for the mite. A healthy mite can produce up to twenty droppings a day.
Domestic mites - are all mites found in the indoor environment that are capable of causing human sensitisation. Sensitisation means that the immune system is alert to the mite's presence and its allergens. Once sensitised, repeated exposure to the mite can lead to allergy and allergic disease in some people, usually those with allergies in their families. Mites, associated with allergy are classified in two distinctive groups. They are recognised by where they live, and what they eat.
The house dust mite belongs to the scientific world known as Arthropoda. Here is a shortened version of how to find its place in this vast animal Kingdom.
Excessive exposure to house dust mites (HDM) can cause allergic rhinitis, asthma and eczema. In order to reduce exposure, doctors say it is essential to understand the how mites live and why they cause disease. Below are some simple facts about the mite and practical advice on how to keep beds and bedding mite free.
Dangerous non-IgE inflammatory reaction from dust mites is named as a 'New Aspirin Triad'. Scientists are piecing together the reasons why ingestion of mite contaminated wheat flour can result in severe anaphylaxis in a subset of mite allergic patients who are also hypersensitive to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin.
This review is a thorough, if not disturbing, examination of the sentinel role of the airway epithelium in asthma. It also questions the current, generalized classification and treatment of chronic and severe asthma.
The newly discovered house dust mite allergen (Der p23) appears to come from cells lining the middle section of the mite multi-chambered gut and is intended to protect the mite from toxic food and be part of the film that encloses mite droppings. Der p23 is a major mite allergen discovered in 2013.
Evidence points to the fact that house dust mites once belonged to a family of mange-like parasites that thrived on the skin of warm-blooded animals. At some stage during evolution they changed to become free-living scavengers, residing in warm, damp and dark nest sites, eating decaying organic matter such as discarded skin scales. The change was beneficial for the mite because it no longer depended upon the life of its host for its existence, and could use its former disease causing enzymes to break down food. It is these enzymes that are now blamed for causing allergic asthma, rhinitis and dermatitis.
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions and opinions expressed here are put forward by HouseDustMite.com as possible contributions to raising awareness of allergens and avoidance measures. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of statements made, HouseDustMite.com cannot accept any responsibility for any loss, damage or injury sustained through compliance with such statements. HouseDustMite.com recommends users of the site to seek medical advice before making any changes in medication or lifestyle. Users are recommended to consult their own doctor if in any way they are concerned about their health.
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