BACKGROUND Lynxacarus radovskyi (fur mites) are ectoparasites found on the hair shafts of cats living in tropical environments. Diagnosis is via microscopic examination of hairs. Various anatomical areas have been reported to harbour these mites. OBJECTIVES To assess adhesive tape impressions and trichograms for detecting L. radovskyi and co-infestations; to determine host body predilection s...

Polyandry is more widespread than anticipated from Bateman's principle but its ultimate (evolutionary) causes and proximate (mechanistic) correlates are more difficult to pinpoint than those of polygyny. Here, we combined mating experiments, quantification of reproductive traits and microsatellite genotyping to determine the fitness implications of polyandry in two predatory mite species, where...

Recent advances in shopper insights reveal that consumers rarely “shop” the entire store. On average, shoppers’ paths only cover about one-third of the areas in a grocery store and hence are unexposed to the majority of products in the store. Given that shoppers typically use physical products in the store as an external memory cue, encouraging shoppers to travel more of the store may increase ...

AIMS To determine the frequency of sensitisation to mites among rhinitic laboratory animal workers and to clarify whether sensitisation could be occupational. METHODS Skin prick tests (SPT) were performed in 40 subjects who were working with laboratory animals in Kuopio University research units and who had been referred to Kuopio University Hospital for work related rhinitis. The SPT panel c...

BACKGROUND Although standard skin prick test (SPT) panels are crucial for routine investigation of sensitization in daily clinical practice, it has limitations in terms of missing allergens. OBJECTIVE To find out sensitization rates (SR)s to additional panel of allergens and their relative contributions in allergic diseases. METHODS SPTs with a battery of aeroallergens [tree pollen (A.gluti...

The present study was designed to asses specific IgE towards environment allergens in 42 healthy horses. Determination of this immunoglobulin in serum serve as diagnostic tools in allergic diseases to improve efficacy of the treatment and proper allergen selection to specific immunotherapy. Serum levels of allergen specific IgE were measured with equine monoclonal antibody, using 15 individual ...

Demodex mites are a group of hair follicle and sebaceous gland-dwelling species. The species of these mites found on humans are arguably the animals with which we have the most intimate interactions. Yet, their prevalence and diversity have been poorly explored. Here we use a new molecular method to assess the occurrence of Demodex mites on humans. In addition, we use the 18S rRNA gene (18S rDN...