Mites in facilities for laboratory animals

OBJECTIVES: Two laboratory animal facilities were examined for storage and house-dust mites. METHODS: Samples of settled dust or material were investigated microscopically, and all of the found mites were identified. RESULTS: Every fourth sample contained mites. On the average, 86 mites were found in a gram of dust. Measurement with a two-way enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed only one sample containing a minor amount of allergen from Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that, in addition to house-dust mites, other mites may be important occupational contaminants in animal facilities.