Epidemiological study of mites and guanine in house dust

The total number of mites, and the amount of guanine contained in house dust was determined in samples obtained from homes with and without asthmatic patients in Yokohama City. The data were quantified and their possible association with various factors within the home was examined. The largest number of mites and the greatest amount of guanine were most strongly associated with carpet floor coverings, followed by tatami mats, and then by wooden flooring. A multi-variate analysis revealed that the major factors influencing the number of mites and the amount of guanine in homes were the living room flooring, and the age of the house. Correlation to such living factors ranged from 60 to 70 percent. In the families with asthmatics the frequency of cleaning was an important additional factor. This likely was a result of the strict instructions given by doctors to asthmatic patients. It was shown that the amount of guanine contained in house dust is an indicator of not only the number of mites but also of the amount of allergens contained in home dust.