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Mites of the genus Dermatophagoides are significant and common triggers of allergies in humans, often found in household dust. Despite not being hematophagous, they possess medical and veterinary relevance due to their involvement in the etiology of allergic diseases such as asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and atopic dermatitis. Studies have been conducted worldwide to determine dust mite species, types and levels of allergens, and their association with various allergic conditions. However, in Brazil, research has mainly focused on identifying allergens associated with respiratory allergies. Specifically, in Rio Grande do Sul, studies in this area are limited. Therefore, we report here the identification of D. pteronyssinus as a cause of allergic contact dermatitis in humans in the state. In this report, two patients residing in the Southern region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, sought assistance after experiencing intense itching and swollen red lesions on their bodies, particularly on the back, legs, and arms, coincidentally following the acquisition of a new sofa. Pieces of transparent adhesive tape were repeatedly applied to the recently purchased sofa. The tapes were attached to slides and examined under light microscopy, enabling taxonomic identification. Morphological characteristics allowed the identification of adult mites of the species D. pteronyssinus. Therefore, this work presents the first record of allergic dermatitis caused by this arthropod in Southern Brazil.
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House dust mites are among the most important sources of indoor allergens worldwide and represent a major public health concern due to their strong association with allergic diseases (Calderón et al. 2015). Species of the genus Dermatophagoides, particularly Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus Trouessart, 1897 and Dermatophagoides farinae Hughes, 1961 are microscopic arthropods widely distributed across different climatic regions and recognized as primary sensitizing agents in both developed and developing countries (Miller 2019). Sensitization to house dust mites affects a substantial portion of the world's population and has been strongly associated with asthma, allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis, and other hypersensitivity diseases (Bousquet et al. 2008; Colloff 2009). It is estimated that up to 50% of patients with allergic diseases worldwide are sensitized to dust mite allergens, highlighting their clinical and epidemiological importance (Calderón et al. 2015; Thomas 2016; Miller 2019).
Recent studies have expanded the understanding of Dermatophagoides allergens, highlighting the diversity of allergenic components and the relevance of component-resolved approaches for improving the diagnosis and clinical management of mite-induced allergic diseases (Batard et al. 2023; Choina et al. 2024). Many of these allergens are structural or enzymatic proteins present in the mite body and are associated with different developmental stages. Additionally, allergenic components are found in mite fecal particles, which represent a major source of exposure in indoor environments (Colloff 2009; Calderón et al. 2015; Vidal-Quist et al. 2015). According to Platts-Mills et al. (1989), mites themselves do not cause disease directly; rather, it is their allergens that induce immune responses and trigger hypersensitivity reactions in susceptible individuals.
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The presence of these arthropods in household dust is closely related to their feeding habits, which consist primarily of human skin flakes and other organic debris present in indoor environments. Accordingly, their scientific name reflects their association with skin-derived materials. Mattresses, pillows, sofas, carpets, and curtains therefore provide ideal habitats for their proliferation and development (Hart 1998; Colloff 2009). Over time, mite fecal particles and body fragments accumulate in these environments or may remain temporarily suspended in the air, mixing with inhaled air and stimulating components of the immune system (Bousquet et al. 2008).
Studies worldwide have investigated the diversity of house dust mite species, the types and levels of associated allergens, and their relationship with various allergic diseases. However, in Brazil, most studies have focused primarily on identifying allergens involved in respiratory allergic conditions (Binotti 2003; Terra 2004; Souza 2013; Panigalli 2014; Mira and Pereira 2019). In Rio Grande do Sul (RS), in particular, research remains limited. Despite efforts to evaluate the immune response of patients exposed to different aeroallergens in the country, there are virtually no reports identifying the mite species responsible for allergies related to dermatitis. Therefore, this study reports the identification of D. pteronyssinus as the causative agent of contact allergic dermatitis in humans in Southern Brazil.
To describe this report, a 45-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman, residents of the city of Pelotas in southern RS (31°46′19′′ S; 52°20′33′′ W), sought care at the Department of Microbiology and Parasitology at the Federal University of Santa Maria, presenting clinical signs consistent with allergic dermatitis. Both reported intense itching and the presence of slightly erythematous and edematous lesions resembling urticaria for approximately one week. The lesions were observed on the back, arms, and legs and resembled insect bites. The patients also reported having three dogs as pets, all with access to a grassy yard; however, none of the animals showed clinical signs. Additionally, all dogs had recently received medication for flea and tick control.
Macroscopically, no mites or insects were observed on the patients’ bodies. During the clinical investigation, both patients reported having recently acquired a sofa, and the onset of the lesions coincided with the arrival of the new furniture in their home.
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For further investigation of the possible cause, pieces of transparent adhesive tape were repeatedly applied to the surface of the recently acquired sofa. The tapes were then mounted onto glass slides and examined under light microscopy.
Several mites were observed and identified as D. pteronyssinus based on the morphological descriptions provided by Colloff and Spieksma (1992), Colloff (2009), and Zeytun et al. (2018). Specimens were photographed under light microscopy at magnifications of 100x and 400x.
According to the descriptions provided by Colloff and Spieksma (1992), Colloff (2009), and Zeytun et al. (2018), Dermatophagoides spp. are characterized by the absence of a distinct tegmen and by a body surface with fine and regular striations. Male specimens of D. pteronyssinus are distinguished by a hysteronotal shield longer than wide. Legs III are approximately 1.5 times longer than legs IV, and the femur is about 1.3 times wider (Fig. 1A). Striae encircle the perianal region and extend posteriorly toward the setal insertions (Fig. 1B). Apodemes II and III are fused, forming an oblique Y-shaped structure (Fig. 1C), whereas apodeme I remains unfused. The perianal region is narrow and sclerotized, surrounding the anal plate (Fig. 1D).
Fig. 1
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus male. A Leg III longer and femur wider than leg IV (arrow); B Striae surrounding the perianal region extending posteriorly to the sockets of the setae (arrowhead); C Apodemes II and III fused (arrow); D Perianal region narrow and sclerotized surrounding the anal plate (arrowhead)
Vacuum cleaning of the entire sofa followed by sun exposure was recommended as a control measure for the infestation. The skin lesions in both patients are resolved approximately five days after the cleaning procedure, without the need for pharmacological treatment, indicating a self-limiting condition.
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus is recognized as one of the main causes of respiratory allergies in humans and is considered the most prevalent species of house dust mites in domestic environments. This has been reported in several regions of Brazil, including Uberaba, Minas Gerais (Terra 2004; Mira and Pereira 2019), Campinas, São Paulo (Binotti 2003), Curitiba, Paraná (Souza 2013), and Xanxerê, Santa Catarina (Panigalli 2014). Although these findings corroborate the presence of D. pteronyssinus observed in the present study, the cited investigations focus primarily on respiratory allergic diseases rather than dermatitis.
Furthermore, although the literature reports the potential association between D. pteronyssinus and atopic dermatitis, there are currently no studies directly linking this mite to contact allergic dermatitis in humans. Thus, the present report reinforces the importance of knowledge regarding local household dust mite fauna as an additional measure for the prevention and investigation of skin diseases associated with mite exposure.
Allergen exposure plays a crucial role in the sensitization of allergic individuals and is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors (Platts-Mills and Chapman 1987). According to Campos et al. (2010), domestic environments provide multiple microhabitats suitable for the survival and development of mites, including upholstered furniture such as sofas. In these environments, dust accumulation, favorable temperature and humidity conditions, and the availability of nutrients derived from human and animal skin desquamation and transpiration support mite proliferation. In the present case, the infestation likely originated at the manufacturing site or during transportation of the sofa, as the patients did not exhibit clinical signs prior to acquiring the furniture.
Furthermore, in addition to suitable microenvironmental conditions, the macroenvironment must also be favorable, as it strongly influences arthropod population dynamics (Campos et al. 2010). The life cycle of D. pteronyssinus lasts approximately 30 ± 8 days at temperatures between 23 and 30 °C and relative humidity levels between 65 and 75%. Females of this species can lay two to four eggs per day, resulting in a weekly population increase of 18–30% (Colloff 2009). These findings may also be associated with recent climatic changes in RS, where temperature variations have shown reduced thermal amplitude in recent years. In addition, the consistently high humidity levels in the region may favor the development and persistence of mite populations that were previously undiagnosed or underdiagnosed.
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This report documents, for the first time in RS, the occurrence of D. pteronyssinus associated with contact allergic dermatitis in humans. These findings reinforce the importance of understanding the regional acarofauna as a preventive and investigative measure for skin diseases related to mite exposure. Furthermore, the resolution of clinical signs following simple environmental control measures highlights the relevance of early identification and removal of the source of exposure.
Acknowledgements
We thank Professor Darci Moraes Barros Battesti from Universidade Estadual Paulista for her assistance in identifying the mites.
Declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.
Ethical approval
We are responsible for the entire manuscript processing and originality process. This manuscript has not been published and is not being considered for publication elsewhere.
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Consent to participate
Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.
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