The predatory mite, Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor, 1954) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is one of the principal natural enemies of tetranychid mites in several countries, promoting efficient control of those mites in several food and ornamental crops. Pest attacks such as that of the spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, 1836 (Acari: Tetranychidae), is one of the problems faced by farmers, especial...

BACKGROUND Allergen specific immunotherapy is the only specific and curative approach in the treatment of IgE-mediated allergic diseases such as bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis. The safety and clinical efficacy of this treatment are well documented but data on the prevention of new sensitizations remain scarce. OBJECTIVE To demonstrate the efficacy of specific immunotherapy in allergic...

BACKGROUND The ADAM33 gene has been identified as a potentially important asthma candidate gene and polymorphisms in this gene have been shown to be associated with asthma and seasonal allergic rhinitis. OBJECTIVE To assess whether the ADAM33 polymorphisms are associated with persistent allergic rhinitis (PER) due to house dust mites in a Chinese population. METHODS In a hospital-based case...

Pyroglyphid mites are primarily associated with allergen exposure at home; hence the name house dust mites. However, we have found numerous studies reporting pyroglyhid mite levels in public and occupational settings. This review presents the findings of house dust mite allergens (family Pyroglyphidae, species Dermatophagoides) as potential work-related risk factors and proposes occupations at ...

BACKGROUND Compliance to and the effect of pre- and post-natal exposure reduction measures to prevent asthma in high-risk children from asthmatic families were studied. METHOD Families were randomized to a special care group (n=222) and a control group (n=221). Educational advice on measures to reduce their newborn's exposure to allergens and smoke was provided to the special care group durin...

Eukaryotic genomes contain numerous DNA transposons that move by a cut-and-paste mechanism. The majority of these elements are self-insufficient and dependent on their autonomous relatives to transpose. Miniature inverted repeat transposable elements (MITEs) are often the most numerous nonautonomous DNA elements in a higher eukaryotic genome. Little is known about the origin of these MITE famil...

1. Wahn U, Lau S, Bergmann R et al. Indoor allergen exposure is a risk factor for sensitisation during the first three years of life. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1997; 99: 763–769. 2. Platts-Mills TAE, et al. Indoor allergens and asthma: Report of the Third International Workshop. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1997; 100: S1–S24. 3. van der Heide S, et al. Seasonal differences in airway hyperresponsiveness ...

1. Wahn U, Lau S, Bergmann R et al. Indoor allergen exposure is a risk factor for sensitisation during the first three years of life. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1997; 99: 763–769. 2. Platts-Mills TAE, et al. Indoor allergens and asthma: Report of the Third International Workshop. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1997; 100: S1–S24. 3. van der Heide S, et al. Seasonal differences in airway hyperresponsiveness ...

Three levels (high, low and control) of northern fowl mite, Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Canestrini and Fanzago), were maintained on White Leghorn hens for 24 weeks. The hens were then treated with carbaryl to eradicate the mites, were induced to molt, and were reinfested with mites 9 weeks later. Subsequent levels of mites on the three groups showed that the degree of acquired immunity was related...

Scabies, the human skin disease caused by infestation by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis, causes considerable morbidity and mortality through direct effects and as a result of secondary bacterial infection. Scabies is a truly neglected disease, largely absent from the global health agenda, and its huge burden of disease is largely underappreciated. We contend that coordinated, global ef...