Dust mite species in the households of mite-sensitive dogs with atopic dermatitis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The presence of important house dust and storage mite species in the microenvironment of atopic dogs has not been thoroughly investigated. OBJECTIVES: To compare the presence and population of five dust mite species (Dermatophagoides farinae, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Acarus siro, Tyrophagus putrescentiae and Lepidoglyphus destructor) among households with mite-sensitive atopic dogs (Group A), households with clinically healthy dogs (Group B) and households without pets (Group C, n=25) in Greece. ANIMALS: Twenty mite-sensitive atopic dogs and 20 clinically healthy dogs. METHODS: Dust samples were collected with a vacuum cleaner from owners' mattresses (all groups) and from dogs' sleeping areas (Groups A and B) or living room couch (Group C), once every season of the year. Following dust flotation, mites were counted and identified. RESULTS: Dermatophagoides farinae was the most prevalent (60, 40 and 64% in Groups A, B and C, respectively), followed by D. pteronyssinus (45, 35 and 48%, respectively), whereas the three storage mites were found in fewer households. No major differences could be found between Groups A and B or between households with (Groups A and B) and without dogs (Group C) regarding the presence or numbers of the five dust mite species. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The presence and population of five common house dust and storage mite species does not differ among Greek households with mite-sensitive atopic dogs, households with healthy dogs and households without pets.