Immunopathology
Constantin A. Bona, Francisco A. Bonilla in Textbook of Immunology, 2019
Perhaps the most common allergy is to one or more of the species of house dust mites (genus Dermatophagoides). These microscopic insects are found anywhere where dust containing flakes of human skin collects. The highest concentrations are found in mattresses, other bedding and dusty carpets. Mite proteins contained in their fecal material will float in the air when dust is disturbed. Thus, environmental control directed toward minimizing contact with dust and eliminating dust and mites from the home are important in minimizing symptoms. One of the most common seasonal allergies is to plant pollens, most notably plants of the genus inappropriately named Ambrosia, or the ragweeds. For many sufferers, this is a more or less short-lived annual nuisance that can be at least partially alleviated with antihistamines or other medications. Some individuals have particularly severe allergies to pollens, and their reactions may interfere significantly with daily activities. Environments which have air-conditioning with high-efficiency particle filters will help to reduce symptoms. Allergies to bee or wasp venoms may be especially dangerous. Every chance meeting of a sensitive individual with one of these stinging insects could result in death if appropriate treatment (epinephrine) is not readily available.
Definition of an Allergen (Immunobiology)
Richard F. Lockey, Dennis K. Ledford in Allergens and Allergen Immunotherapy, 2014
Once encountered, the amount/dose of exposure, duration, as well as modulating substances are a few of the many environmental factors that influence the type of response to an antigen/allergen. Dust mite allergen is variably allergenic, depending not only on the dose one is exposed to but also on other substances that are present. Allergens appear to induce IgE production at relatively low doses [16]. They have estimated that the mean adult annual dosage of individual allergenic components is probably in the nanogram range. The ambient level of mite allergen, to which a normal individual is exposed, fluctuates around 100 pg/m3. House dust with a mite content of >2 μg mite/gm dust is associated with sensitization in children [22]. Clinical studies suggest that the duration of exposure needed for IgE sensitization varies from “days” for parasitic allergens, to “months” for some constant/perennial allergen exposure, to “years” of exposure for seasonal allergens such as pollens. Low levels of lipopolysacharide, which is found in dust, may favor a Th2 response. Lipopolysacharide binds to the Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4, which associates with MD-2 to allow for TLR4 signaling [23]. Interestingly, dust mite (Der p 2) can also signal through the TLR4 receptor by acting as a functional mimic of MD-2 [24].
Integrative Allergy and Asthma for Traditional Practice
Pudupakkam K Vedanthan, Harold S Nelson, Shripad N Agashe, PA Mahesh, Rohit Katial in Textbook of Allergy for the Clinician, 2021
Other environmental modifications are targeted at animal and pest control. Keeping animals out of the sleeping area can be beneficial for minimizing animal dander exposures (Bush 2008, Chapman and Wood 2001, Eggleston 2001). Encasements of bedding, pillows and mattresses in allergen proof material may be helpful for limiting dust mite exposure. Frequent washing of linen in hot water, greater than 58ºC, can decrease exposure to dust mite antigen (Evans 1992, Eggleston 2001). Utilizing pest control measures to minimize cockroaches in indoor areas are also important for persons who are sensitized (German and Harper 2002, Bush 2008, Eggleston 2001).
Computational investigation of dust mite allergens in a realistic human nasal cavity
Published in Inhalation Toxicology, 2019
Ya Zhang, Yidan Shang, Kiao Inthavong, Zhenbo Tong, Bin Sun, Kang Zhu, Aibing Yu, Guoxi Zheng
Dust mite allergens suspended in the air are inhaled into respiratory tract through the nasal cavity. As a principal channel of entry into the human body for aerosols, the nasal cavity has a significant role in respiratory defense by filtering allergen particles, thus serving as the first barrier to prevent inhaled dust mites. The nasal cavity is a complex organ with multiple functions including olfaction, and air conditioning (e.g. humidifying, warming, and filtering) of inhaled air. The nose serves as a ‘scrubbing tower’ that removes inhaled pathogens that may be harmful to the more sensitive epithelial tissues in the lower tracheobronchial airways and pulmonary parenchyma (Morris and Shusterman 2016). Therefore, to evaluate the health risks caused by dust mite allergens, it’s crucial to investigate the allergen particle deposition in the nasal passage and its interaction with airflow patterns under different breathing conditions.
Outdoor air pollutants exposure associated with pulmonary function and EBC pH value in atopic asthmatic and non-asthmatic children
Published in Journal of Asthma, 2021
Kuo-Wei Yeh, Chi-Tsung Chen, Pei-Chen Lee, Jing-Long Huang, Dah-Chin Yan, Li-Chen Chen, Syh-Jae Lin, Tsung-Chieh Yao, Chih-Da Wu, Gwo-Hwa Wan
The fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) level, an indicator of airway inflammation, is associated with personal characteristics and environmental factors. Higher FeNO levels were found in asthmatic children than in healthy children (12,13), and asthmatic children treated with steroids had lower FeNO levels than asthmatic children without steroid treatment (14). A previous study indicated that outdoor O3 concentration was associated with the FeNO level in asthmatic children (8). However, no relationship between daily maximum 8-h O3 exposure (range 1.1 − 56.4 ppb) and the level of FeNO was found in asthmatic children (11). Similar results also found in a French study (10). Additionally, the predominant house dust mite species include Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae (15). The Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p 1) allergen is prevalent for dust mite allergy (16). The highest level of Der p 1 allergen was found on the tops of mattresses in the homes of asthmatic children in the US (17) and Taiwan (18). Also, Der p 1 allergen was detected on the floors of kitchens and bedrooms in the homes of asthmatic children (17–19). Moreover, the FeNO level of asthmatic children was positively associated with the Der p 1 concentration in homes and schools (20).
Family, neighborhood and psychosocial environmental factors and their associations with asthma in Australia: a systematic review and Meta-analysis
Published in Journal of Asthma, 2022
K. M. Shahunja,, Peter D. Sly,, Tahmina Begum, Tuhin Biswas, Abdullah Mamun
House dust mites (HDM) were also reported as a potential risk for asthma. Ponsonby et al. reported that although HDM sensitization was strongly associated with frequent wheezing (aRR 19·61; 95% CI 6·94–55·56), it had a modest association with ever developed asthma-symptoms (aRR, 1·65; 95% CI 1·30–2·09) (43). Some studies showed the overall risk of asthma-symptoms varied with the sensitization of different concentrations of HDM in the household (42,44–46) (Table S4). The odds for asthma were different for HDM in different locations (bed, floor, etc.) (45), or for different types of HDM such as Der p 1 and Der f 1 (42). However, HDM allergen Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) was most measured and had various degree of associations (43–45). There were some other indoor environmental exposures for asthma that were revealed in this review, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (46), formaldehyde (47), having a pet (34,42,48), and the presence of carpet (34).
Related Knowledge Centers
- Animal
- Penicillium Chrysogenum
- Tropomyosin
- Pyroglyphidae
- Dust Mite Allergy
- Arthropod Cuticle
- Stachybotrys Chartarum
- Cheyletiella
- Shellfish Allergy
- Oral Mite Anaphylaxis