House dust mite
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D. pteronyssinus
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| Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Trouessart, 1897)
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The house dust mite (HDM) is a cosmopolitan pyroglyphid that lives in human habitation. Dust mites feed on organic detritus, such as flakes of shed human skin, and flourish in the stable environment of dwellings. House dust mites are a common cause of asthma and allergic symptoms worldwide. The mite's gut contains potent digestive enzymes (notably proteases) that persist in their feces and are major inducers of allergic reactions such as wheezing. The mite's exoskeleton can also contribute to allergic reactions. The European house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) and the American house dust mite (Dermatophagoides farinae) are two different species, but are not necessarily confined to Europe or North America; a third species Euroglyphus maynei also occurs widely. Unlike scabies mites or skin follicle mites, house dust mites do not burrow under the skin and are not parasitic.[1]
Contents
Description
House dust mites, due to their very small size and translucent bodies, are barely visible to the unaided eye.[2] A typical house dust mite measures 0.2–0.3 millimetres (0.008–0.012 in) in length.[3] For accurate identification, one needs at least 10× magnification. The body of the house dust mite has a striated cuticle.
Life cycle
The average life cycle for a male house dust mite is 10 to 19 days. A mated female house dust mite can last up to 70 days, laying 60 to 100 eggs in the last 5 weeks of her life. In a 10-week life span, a house dust mite will produce approximately 2,000 fecal particles and an even larger number of partially digested enzyme-covered dust particles.[4]
Habitat and food
Even at high altitude, house dust mites thrive in the indoor environment provided by homes, specifically in bedrooms and kitchens. Dust mites survive well in mattresses, carpets, furniture and bedding, with figures around 100–500 animals/g dust.[5] Even in dry climates, house dust mites survive and reproduce easily in carpets and bedding (especially in pillows), which takes up moisture from body contact.[6] Like many decomposer animals, they select food that has been already partially broken down by fungi.
Asthma and allergies
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House dust mites are associated with allergic rhinitis and asthma.[7] Efforts to remove these mites from the environment have, however, not been found to be effective.[7] Dust covers have also not been found to be effective.[8] Immunotherapy may be useful in those affected.[7] Subcutaneous injections have better evidence than under the tongue dosing.[9]
See also
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. |
External links
- House dust mites on the University of Florida / Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Featured Creatures website
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