[House-dust mites as vectors of human diseases].

The genuine European house-dust mite, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, is the producer of the most common and most potent allergen in the house-dust in Central Europe. Such allergens causing asthma, rhinitis, tracheitis, bronchitis and/or conjunctivitis in man may also be produced by the other species of house-dust mites such as D. farinae and Euroglyphus maynei. House mites and mites of stored products rarely account for such diseases but more frequently for acarodermatitis--especially on farms. Allergies due to house-dust mites mainly occur in midsummer and in early autumn. Particularly children under 10 years of age are effected by these allergies. Textile articles such as mattresses, upholstered furniture and carpets are breeding places of the genuine house-dust mites. Skin scales of humans, mammals and birds affected by mould provide the nutritional substrate of the mites.