Seasonal variations in house dust mite allergens--significance for children with allergy

Allergenic proteins of the house dust mites Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae and their major allergens Der p I and Der f I are one of the most significant environmental factors which may facilitate sensitization and allergic airway disease in childhood. In order to measure seasonal variations of mite allergen exposure, we collected mattress dust samples monthly in 13 homes over a period of 1 year. Der p I and Der f I were determined with a sandwich type ELISA. Mite allergen levels were significantly lower from January-June than from July-December (p less than 0.05) which was mostly due to Der p I variations. Only in 6 of the studied homes seasonal variations in mite allergen concentrations according to seasonal variations in outdoor humidity could be observed. In 7 homes mite allergen exposure stayed constant and seemed to depend only on indoor climate factors.