Dust mite species in the households of mite-sensitive dogs with atopic dermatitis.

Background: The presence of important house dust and storage mite species in the microenvironment of atopic dogs has not been thoroughly investigated.

Objectives: To compare the presence and population of five dust mite species (Dermatophagoides farinae, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Acarus siro, Tyrophagus putrescentiae and Lepidoglyphus destructor) among households with mite-sensitive atopic dogs (Group A), households with clinically healthy dogs (Group B) and households without pets (Group C, n=25) in Greece.

Animals: Twenty mite-sensitive atopic dogs and 20 clinically healthy dogs.

Distribution of Culicoides in Greece.

Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) were trapped between 1999 and 2004 at 122 locations in mainland Greece and on most of the larger Aegean and Ionian islands, using OVI light traps, in order to determine the distribution and seasonal activity of bluetongue virus vectors and other Culicoides species. Thirty-nine Culicoides species were identified, six of which (C. furcillatus, C.

Presence and density of domestic mites in the microenvironment of mite-sensitive dogs with atopic dermatitis.

This study was designed to investigate the presence and density of domestic mites (DMs) in households with atopic dogs sensitive to these mites (group A; n=20), in households with clinically healthy, nonatopic dogs (group B; n=20) and in households without pets (group C; n=25). Dust samples were vacuum-collected from the owner mattress (all groups) and dog sleeping area (groups A and B) or living room couch (group C) on four consecutive occasions, reflecting the four seasons of the year. DMs were found, at least once, in 19 of 20 (95%) group A, 13 of 20 (65%) group B and 21 of 25 (84%) group C households.