House dust mites and their sensitivity to wood oils and volatiles

摘要

Allergic diseases such as bronchial asthma, perennial rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis caused by the house dust mites Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae, which are dominant species in homes, have recently become serious health problems. Reducing the number of and exposure to mites and mite allergens are the most important factors in preventing allergic diseases. Recently, the effects of essential oils of plants on house dust mites have received much attention with a view to producing natural mite-killing agents. Essential oils and their components of wood and their leaves have also received much attention. In this article, we summarize the biology of house dust mites, mite allergens, and their concentration in homes, and discuss the control of house dust mites by using plant and wood extractives, especially in relation to the influence of essential oils and volatiles from wood on house dust mites.