Mite fauna and mite antigen detection in house dust found in residential areas in Los Baños, Laguna

Date

2011

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Biology

Major Course

Major in Zoology

College

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Vachel Gay V. Paller

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Abstract

Dust mites are a medically important group of animals commonly found in carpets and mattresses in houses. Antigens in their feces cause allergic reactions such as asthma and contact dermatitis. Dust samples were vacuum-collected in a special collecting bag from a one square meter area from living room floors of 100 randomly sampled houses in Los Baños, Lagunafor one minute.Chromato-immunoassay ELISA (Mitey Checker) was used to detect mite antigenicity. Twenty-three species of mites were identified belonging to seven families. Of these, Blomiatropicalis(265 mites/g. of dust in 87% of households)of Family GlycyphagidaeandDermatophagoidesfarinae(71 mites/g. of dust in 58% of households)of Family Pyroglyphidae were the most prevalent and abundant species. Forty-eight percent (48%) of households were detected to have low levels of antigen (≤5μg/m2

). There was a weak linear relationship between mean total mite intensityand antigen levels (r= 0.129). MeanDermatophagoides intensity and antigen levels were also found to have a weak linear relationship.More mites were found in carpeted living rooms (822 mites/g) when compared to non-carpeted living rooms (645 mites/g). Different floor types did not show any difference in mean mite intensity.Likewise, mite intensity did not show correlation with household size.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Document Type

Thesis

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