BIOLOGY OF HOUSE DUST MITES (ACARI: ASTIGMATA: PYROGLYPHIDAE)

This article is a first part of the rewiev of the house-dust-mite-atopy problem data. It includes informations on biology of these mites with emphasis of medical aspect and control. We hope that these informations will be of considerable interest to many readers because of the greatly increased investigations into the role of house dust mite sensitivity in allergic diseases

Sensitization to the storage mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae in urban population of Upper Silesia [Poland]

Exposure to indoor allergens, especially dust mites has been recognized as a risk factor for sensitization and allergy symptoms that in extreme conditions could develop into asthma. To determine specific antigens responsible for allergy in patients positive for mite allergy skin tests whole protein extracts from the cultured mite species Tyrophagus putrescentiae [TP], and from their excrements were obtained. The proteins were fractionated by SDS PAGE and identified by Western blot. The patient antibodies against particular antigens were identified in serum IgE fraction using anti-human anti-IgE monoclonal antibody. Western blot analysis revealed differences in reactivity of sera from patients positive for standard mite allergy skin tests with fractionated mite antigens. A total of 17 of 30 sera (56.7%) from patients positive to skin tests showed specific cross reactivity with antigens isolated from extracts of TP. The results revealed that 12 out of 30 tested sera (40.0%) reacted specifically with new antigens identified as protein fractions of extracts from excrements of TP. When assessing mite allergen reaction using mixture of mite proteins the results of the test are not satisfactory for determining the antigen causing patient allergy. The results obtained from studies reported here indicate significant discrepancy between the so called standard allergy skin test and what the patient is actually sensitive to. Also, a new class of immunizing protein of about 25 kDa has been identified in excrements from TP reacting with IgE from patients showing allergy to other mite extracts. A total of 4 of 30 sera (approx. 13.3%) from patients positive to skin tests showed specific cross reactivity with antigens isolated from mite excrements rather than from mite whole extracts

The use of enrichment factor, accumulation factor and equation of division to estimate Pb and Cu intoxication of pharyngeal tonsil

W pracy przedstawiono rezultaty obliczeń współczynników wzbogacenia i kumulacji, które wykorzystano do oceny zróżnicowania stopnia intoksykacji migdałka gardłowego Pb lub Cu dzieci zamieszkujących na terenie województwa śląskiego. Współczynniki równania podziału wskazują na większe znaczenie obecności tych pierwiastków w pyle zawieszonym w powietrzu w porównaniu do wtórnej emisji cząstek glebowych. Migdałek gardłowy jest dobrym bioindykatorem Pb i Cu. Pb i Cu oznaczono metodą ICP za pomocą aparatu Solar 2000 z dokładnością do 0,01ug/g.This work presents the results of enrichment and accumulation factor calculations which were used to estimate the level of Pb and Cu intoxication of pharyngeal tonsils of children living in the Silesian Region. The parameters of the equation of division indicate a higher significance of the presence of these elements in dust suspended in the air in comparison to secondary emission of soil particles. Pharyngeal tonsils are a good bio-indicator of Pb or Cu. Using the ICP method with the help of the Solar 2000 apparatus, the estimated accuracy of Pb and Cu were 0.01ug/g