Seasonal abundance of xerophilic fungi and house-dust mites (Acarida: Pyroglyphidae) in mattress dust

Summary Arthropods and xerophilic fungi in dust from 5 mattresses and air-borne fungi were identified and counted every 4 weeks from January 1976 to October 1977.The arthropod fauna consisted mainly of the pyroglyphid mites Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (58%) and Euroglyphus maynei (30%). The fungal flora consisted of Aspergillus restrictus (48%), A. glaucus (16%), Wallemia sebi (3%) and Penicillium spp. (25%). Air-borne fungi belonged to the same taxa but in different frequencies, 30, 7, 21 and 27%, respectively. Mattresses differed in quantities of mites and Penicillium.In July 1977, the highest population density of pyroglyphid mites was encountered: 69 specimens/g of dust. In the same month the numbers of A. restrictus rose significantly, reaching a maximum of 3.8×10⁴ diaspores/g of dust. Most air-borne fungi were isolated in the winter period of 1976/1977. No positive correlation was found between the numbers of air-borne and mattress-dust fungi. The summer of 1976 was exceptionally dry resulting in both a premature decline of the mite populations and a low level of A. restrictus diaspores.The seasonal peaks of A. restrictus and pyroglyphid mites correspond and suggest a synergistic cooperation which may result in an increased house-dust allergen production in the environment of asthmatic patients.Supported by grant no. 230 of the Dutch Asthma Foundation