Tyrophagus putrescentiae: an allergenically important mite

摘要

SummaryThe incidence of positive skin tests to the miteTyrophagus putrescentiaewas measured and compared with skin reactions toDermatophagoides pteronyssimuand other allergens in Australian and New Guinean populations, and mite counts were determined in Sydney and New Guinea houses. Positive reactions toT. putrescentiaewere as frequent as those forD. pteronyssinusin asthmatics in Sydney and were the commonest positive reactions in the normal New Guinea population.T. putrescentiae‐specificserum IgE levels were determined and some IgG cross‐reactions ofD. pteronyssinusandT. putrescentiaeantigens were demonstrated.It is suggested thatT. putrescentiaeis an important source of allergen and should be considered wheneverD. pteronyssinusis thought to be a problem. A convenient method for culturing and isolatingT. putrescentiaeis descri