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[Dust mites as occupational allergens in two bakeries of La Habana, Cuba]
Bárbara I Fernández-Duro1, Mirta Alvarez-Castelló, Mayteé Mateo-Morejón
1Centro Nacional de Biopreparados (Biocen), Mayabeque, Cuba. aby1@biocen.cu.
Background:
Occupational allergies are becoming more frequent. The allergens present in the working environment of bakeries, such as mites, are not well identified despite being known risk factors of respiratory diseases.
Objectives:
To isolate and identify the species of mites present in two bakeries in La Habana, Cuba, with high sensitization of mites on their workers.
Material And Method:
A descriptive study was done in which samples were taken by tripled from potential sources of mites in bakeries -as flourin use, spills of wheat on the floors, wheat flour stored in sealed bags, sugar, yeast, granulated baker- that were processed, according to the method of flotation of Hart and Fain (1987) to isolate, identify and count the mites present.
Results:
Mites were found in samples of wheat flourin use, spills on the floorsand in the wheat flourstored in sealed bags. The species identified were Blomia tropicalis (70%), Tyrophagus putrescentiae (20%) and to a lesser degree Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides siboney.
Conclusions:
There is a high exposure to house dust mites, particularly to store mites, which constitute a risk factor of occupational allergy to consider.
Insights
Bakeries harbor significant mite populations, including Blomia tropicalis and Tyrophagus putrescentiae, posing a risk for occupational allergies. These findings highlight the need to address mite exposure in bakery environments.
Area of Science:
- Allergology
- Environmental Health
- Occupational Medicine
Context:
- Occupational allergies are increasing, with bakery environments presenting unique allergen risks.
- Mites are known contributors to respiratory diseases, yet their specific presence in bakeries remains under-identified.
- Two bakeries in La Habana, Cuba, with documented high worker sensitization to mites were selected for study.
Purpose:
- To isolate and identify mite species prevalent in two Cuban bakeries.
- To assess the potential risk factors for occupational allergies among bakery workers.
Summary:
- A descriptive study involved collecting samples from various sources within bakeries, including flour, spills, sugar, and yeast.
- Mites were identified using the Hart and Fain flotation method.
- The predominant mite species found were Blomia tropicalis (70%), Tyrophagus putrescentiae (20%), and lesser amounts of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides siboney.
Impact:
- The study reveals high exposure to house dust mites, particularly storage mites, in bakery settings.
- Identified mite species represent a significant risk factor for developing occupational allergies in bakers.
- Findings underscore the importance of allergen control measures in bakery environments to protect worker health.
