DISTRIBUTION OF DERMATOPHAGOIDES MITE (ACARI, PYROGLYPHIDAE) ANTIGENSIN HOMES OF ALLERGIC PATIENTS IN JAPAN

Dust samples collected in 61 homes of patients with mite allergies and 11 homes of non-allergic people as controls were examined for antigen levels of Dermatophagoides farinae Hughes and Dermatophagoides pteron yssinus (Trouessart) to reveal the current distribution of allergenic mites in homes in Japan. Patient homes had higher antigen levels than control homes in comforters and pillows but not in futons, carpets, ta tamis and wooden floors. Samples with antigen levels of greater than o r equal to 10 mu g m(-2) were more frequent in and around summer (appr oximately April-October) than other seasons of the year in most materi als and the differences between patient and control homes in comforter s and pillows observed in yearly totals was also observed during this period. Wooden structures showed higher antigen levels than concrete s tructures in comforters, futons, pillows, carpets and tatamis in patie nt homes. Mite contamination in patient homes in relation to environme ntal factors was discussed.