The major mite allergen (Der p1) can downgrade a natural lung defence against common and harmful bacteria.
Top UK scientists describe (for the first time) how an aggressive allergen found in mite droppings (Der p1) can reduce the efficiency of lung defenses. The doctors speculate that this may be the reason why asthmatics suffer more lung infections than healthy people.
References ‘House Dust Mite Der p 1 Downgrades Defenses of the Lung by Inactivating Elastase Inhibitors’, Brown A, et al,Am.J.Respir.Cell Mol. Biol. 2003 Vol 29;pages 381 to 389
‘Elafin (elastase-specific inhibitor) has anti-microbial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative respiratory pathogens’, Simpson AJ, Maxwell AI, Govan JRW, Haslett C, Sallenave JM,; FEBS Letters 452 (1999) 309-313 support this research
