Effect of certain socio-ecological factors on the population density of house dust mites in mattress-dust of asthmatic patients of Calcutta, India

摘要

Allergy to house dust mites, particularly to the genus Dermatophagoides is a fairly common problem in Calcutta and its adjoining areas since last two decades. Both the common species of the genus Dermatophagoides i.e. D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus are found to be abundant in the dust samples collected from beds of patients suffering from nasobronchial allergic disordes. The presence of these mites in quite a good number in the patients' beds are clinically correlated with the aetiopathology of various allergic manifestations like bronchial asthma. Dermatophagoides mites may occupy different niches in the homes of asthmatics and are more common in beds than elsewhere in the house, however, the distribution and abundance of these mites are influenced by some socio-ecological factors. The aim and objective of the present study is to assess the impact of some common socio-ecological management practices like the age of house, age of mattress, type of mattress, frequency of cleaning of the mattress and even the economic status of the patients on the growth, multiplication and finally accumulation of these mites in the patients' surroundings. Proper identification of offending allergens and subsequent reduction of load of these mite allergens from the patient's environment may be helpful for the prophylactic management of these diseases in Calcutta metropolis.