House dust mite fauna of tropical Singapore

Introduction and aims Sensitization to house dust mires is very common in t he tropics. This study evaluated the dust mite fauna in Singaporean homes. Methods A total of 134 dust samples from 50 homes were evaluated. Dust mite s were isolated, identified and quantified by standard techniques. Results Dust mites were isolated from 130/134 (97%) samples, with mites ide ntified in all samples from sofas (n = 21) and carpets (n = 13), and 49/50 (98%) and 47/50 (94%) from mattresses and bedroom floors, respectively. All samples from sofas and carpets had more than 500 mites/g compared with 47/ 50 (94%) and 23/50 (46%) from mattresses and floors, respectively. Blomia t ropicalis was the predominant mite (62% of total mites) followed by D. pter onyssinus (16% of total mites). Eight samples had a predominance of Sturnop hagoides brasiliensis and Tarsonemus granarius. Other species that accounte d approximate to 1% of mites identified included D. farinae, Austroglycypha gus malaysiensis, Cheyletus malaccensis, Malayoglyphus intermedius, Suidasi a pontifica and Tyrophagus putrescentiae. Conclusion Dust mites were highly prevalent and present in high densities i n Singaporean homes with B. tropicalis being the most prevalent species.