The following quotes are from published papers. Copies of the papers can be obtained from medical libraries or from referenced sources. 1989
‘The acarine family Pyroglyphidae contains primarily nidicolous mites, so designated because they live in association with birds and mammals (nests, burrows, homes) these vertebrates or their activities provide a food source for the mites’ (1)
1989
‘The role of mites of the family Pyroglyphidae as the single most important source of house dust allergens was established 20 years ago. Since that time, evidence for sensitisation of patients with asthma to mite allergens has been reported from many different parts of the world. In addition, there has been steady progress in our understanding of the way in which allergens, particularly allergens derived from dust mites, can contribute to asthma, rhinitis [hay fever] and atopic dermatitis’ (2) - World Health Organisation supported
1995
‘Allergic asthma is a worldwide problem of considerable clinical importance. Links between asthma and exposure to house dust mites have been recognised for more than 300 years. More recently, causal links have been proven between immunity to house dust mites and allergic disorders, including asthma, rhinitis, dermatitis and conjunctivitis’ (3)
1998
‘At least four of the Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus house dust mite allergens are proteinases. Der p1 is a cysteine proteinase and Der p3, 6 and 9 are serine proteinases. These proteins thus fulfil a criteria of both allergens and proallergic adjuvants’ (4)
2000
‘Many studies demonstrate the important role allergens play not only in the initiation of asthma but also in its persistence. The severity of asthma in adults and children is related to the level of allergen exposure. Asthma symptoms and bronchial hyperresponsiveness are improved by the reduction of allergen exposure’ (5)
2003
‘Larger and more carefully controlled studies are required to demonstrate any clear benefit from house dust mite avoidance. At present, this does not appear to be a cost effective method of achieving benefit’ (6)
2004
‘Allergic conditions cost the UK’s National Health Service over £1 billion per year, according to a study by scientists at Edinburgh University and St. George’s Medical School in London’ (7)
References: 1. ‘Biology and Ecology of House Dust Mites Dermatophagoides spp. and Euroglyphus spp.’ Professor L.G.Arlian, Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America,1989, Vol.9, No.2,pages 339 to 355
2. ‘Dust mite allergens and asthma - a worldwide problem’, The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology,1989, Vol.83, pages 416-427
3. ‘A Major House Dust Mite Allergen Disrupts the Immunoglobulin E Network
by Selectively Cleaving CD23 - Innate Protection by Antiproteases’,Hewitt CRA, Brown AP, Hart BJ, Pritchard DI,
J.Exp.Med,1995, Vol.182,pages 1537 to 1544
4. ‘Mite allergens - significance of enzymatic activity’, Hewittt CRA et al., Allergy, 1998, Vol. 53, Suppl 48,pages 60 to 63
5. ‘The importance of allergens in the development of asthma’,Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Vol.105, No 6, part 2, Suppl S, page 628 to 632, Dr. Harold S. Nelson, University of Colorado, Health Science Center and National Jewish Medical and Research Center, Dept. of Medicine
6. Thorax, 2003, Vol. 58 (Supp 1) section 3.2.2
7. UK´s National Asthma Campaign’s
magazine ´Asthma´ Issue 03, 2004, page 8
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