Storage mites as a cause of bronchial asthma in Denmark

From October 1982 to July 1983, 133 consecutive patients complaining of allergic symptoms were prick-tested with three storage mites (Acarus siro, Lepidoglyphus destructor, Tyrophagus putrescentiae) and two housedust mites (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae). A total of 60 patients (45%) had a positive prick-test for one or more of the storage mites. A mutual positive correlation was found between the prick-test results for the two house-dust mites as well as for the three storage mites. No significant correlation was found between house-dust mites and storage mites. Four cases of allergy to storage mites are presented. The diagnosis of storage mite allergy was based on the clinical history, prick-test, bronchial provocation test and the finding of storage mites in the environment of the patient. Our study suggests that allergies to storage mites could be rather frequent in the Danish population.