Acarofauna in the apartments of patients with perennial atopic rhinitis and functional tests of the respiratory system

: Prolonged exposure to house dust mites (HDM) of the Pyroglyphidae family leads to the development of perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) in sensitized subjects. In PAR patients bronchial hyperreactivity--the clinical manifestation of allergic inflammation in the lower airways is often observed. The aim of the study was to estimate the influence of the exposure to HDM in PAR patients on selected functional parameters of the lower airways. The study was performed on 64 patients with PAR caused by allergy to HDM (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae) without either symptoms of asthma or spirometry abnormalities. The lower airways function was estimated by bronchial histamine provocation test (BHR) and flow-volume spirometry. The house dust mite quantity was measured in dust samples collected in spring and autumn. One sample was assessed by flotation technique with the use of methylene chloride and the mites species were identified (direct method) and the other sample was used to perform the Acarex test (semiquantitative guanine determination test). Positive result of Acarex test was obtained in spring in 72% houses and in autumn in 63%. The predominance of the Pyroglyphidae family was observed in PAR patients' houses. The study showed that the exposure to the allergenic HDM in the quantity higher than 0.6 mg guanine/g dust in autumn implies the increased incidence of both bronchial hyperreactivity and decreased airflow in the small bronchi in control spirometry tests. A strict correlation between the quantity of mites in houses in spring and autumn measured by the direct (flotation method) and the indirect (Acarex) tests was observed. Both methods proved to be equivalent in detecting allergens of house dust mites.