Dust mite information site for people with asthma, rhinitis or eczema.

Lung cells in asthma - protectors or drivers of disease.

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.

Th17 cells: a new T Lymphocyte and its roll in asthma.

The numbers of specific T cell lymphocytes have had an important addition - the Th17 regulator. The expanding T cell lymphocyte family include;  Th1, aimed at intracellular pathogens such as viral infections, Th2 offers some protection against worms and is associated with allergy, Th 3 a regulator and now Th17 a regulator that can also act to help clear up fungi and bacterial infection through the activation of neutrophils.  Neutrophil activity in asthma is not considered ‘allergy’, but can exist along side allergic asthma.

The foetus, dust mites and a naughty asthma gene

Upon birth, almost all newborn’s immune systems react to specific environmental factors transferred from mother to child during pregnancy. It is a form of maternal education into her ‘world’ and demonstrates that the child’s immune system may be immature, but not inexperienced. In this article it is the genetically vulnerable foetus, continually exposed to maternal dust mite allergen Der p1 that is the focus of attention. The development of early asthma is the concern.

COPD in non-smokers - a population larger than realized

According to a recent review of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 25% to 45% of patients diagnosed with the disease have never smoked. Yet, almost all of the clinical trials designed to investigate drug remedies for COPD recruit patients who smoke. This throws doubt over the condition itself and pharmacological remedies that may be considered.

Research links asthma, hookworms and dust mites in lung disease

A newly found cell points the way towards explaining why dust mites and hookworms can be considered the same thing by the human immune system. Exposure to either animal can result in an assault on lungs and asthma. For hookworms the journey into the lungs is an important part of their life cycle. For scavenging dust mites, digestive enzymes found in their droppings cause lung cell death and a breach in defences. For some allergy patients these pests may be considered equal and unwanted parasites, and react appropriately.

The enzymatic activity of a mite allergen (Der p1)

This article is by Dr Matthew J Colloff author of the recently published book, 'Dust Mites'. Dr Colloff's book is the first publication to comprehensively cover all aspects of the mite which can cause allergic responses ranging from asthma and hay fever to eczema. In the paragraph below he describes how the enzymatic activity of a mite allergen can impact on the immune system.

Anaphylaxis and the dust mite

Although house dust mite allergens are not currently associated with an IgE systemic anaphylaxis reaction, asthma is consider a major risk factor. Indeed, in most fatalities due to anaphylaxis, asthma is present. A major cause of asthma around the world is exposure to house dust mites. Therefore, an active and prolonged allergic reaction to house dust mite allergens, triggering symptoms of asthma, should be identified as a risk factor for anaphylaxis.

Difficult Asthma often wrongly diagnosed

Doctors found that out of 60 children diagnosed with ‘difficult asthma’ only 5 were actually confirmed with the condition. A research team came to this conclusion in a study that completely changed the children's environment.

What other ‘events’ make mites more harmful

Lungs become agitated and ultra-sensitive for a time following damage from respiratory viral infections, excessive cigarette smoke or ozone inhalation.

Lungs, self cleaning described

The human lung with a surface area of 40-120m2 is constantly exposed to between 10,000 and 20,000 litres of ambient air daily. Within this air intake are a wide range of particles, some biological, such as pollens or mite droppings and some non-biological such as carbon or metals from diesel exhaust.

Chronic asthma, a worrying update

Once asthma is established, chronic inflammation in the lungs is a critical feature of the disease. Inflammation can be made worse by inhaling allergens or irritants (such as smoke, ozone, diesel particles) or from a respiratory viral infection.

IgG4 responses to mite and bacteria

The study noted here investigates how some mite allergic adults and children, exposed to H influenzae endotoxin (outer membrane protein) can in tandem produce antigen/allergen specific IgG4, an antibody associated with anaphylactic reactions.

Cross-reactivity in mite allergy

In allergy, cross reactivity is fairly common. An allergy to birch tree pollen may signal an allergy to apples; an allergy to bananas can indicate an allergy to latex. These are examples of different sources of proteins, but chemically they are similar. The chemical similarity can cause the body’s defense system to read them as one. Cross-reactivity is common in dust mite and storage mite allergens.

Pollens, mite allergy and eye disease

The risk of developing serious eye disease during the pollen season is increased by continuous exposure to year-round allergens that cause asthma, chronic hay fever, eczema and conjunctivitis. Allergen avoidance is strongly recommended to reduce the risk. Avoidance of aggressive allergens, such as from mite enzymes, is noted in this excellent paper.

Allergy, skin prick testing

Analysis of the value to allergists of skin testing from papers published between 1970 and 2005 concludes that; when preformed and evaluated correctly, skin testing is the most effective diagnostic tool available for the confirmation of allergic disease.

How to discourage mite infestation indoors

Mites are most active and breed successfully at temperatures of 72o F or 20oC. In this warm indoor environment, an active breeding mite should maintain its water weight at 75% in order to function.

The biology of the house dust mite

Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus is a tiny nest dwelling mite that scavenges on discarded skin scales in damp, dark environments. It is a potent and major cause of human allergy and allergic disease worldwide.

Introduction to the dust mite

House dust mites have lived on earth for over 23 million years. They have survived turbulent earthly events by developing amazing biological functions, one of which is their method of recycling food.

IgG4 responses to mite allergens and bacteria

This study investigates how some mite allergic adults and children, exposed to H influenzae endotoxins, can in tandem produce antigen/allergen specific IgG4, an antibody associated with anaphylactic reactions.

Parasites and Allergy

Within the text of the book there is an excellent review of the activities of the major house dust mite allergen Der p1.  This review is headed: ‘Proteases Are Major Allergens derived from Various Organisms’, page 48 to 52.  The chapter clearly describes the destructive pathways of which Der p1 is capable

How micro-bacteria can access and proliferate in the gut of the mite

As long ago as 1989 scientists noted that ‘rickettsia-like’ bacteria were infesting the gut of the mite, but how they gained access has never fully been explained. In 2008 an explanation has emerged.