Fauna and distribution of house dust mites in residential areas of Ilam town, western Iran

A study was undertaken to investigate the presence of house dust mites in Ilam town and their climate-induced variability between January and June 2017.

In this cross-sectional investigation, a total of fifty houses located in five different residential areas of Ilam town were selected using a cluster random sampling method. Dust samples, collected from mattresses, pillows, and carpets, were obtained from each house utilizing a portable vacuum cleaner. Each sample was then transferred into 70% alcohol solution, with an amount equivalent to 200mg preserved for further analysis. Under a stereomicroscope, mites were carefully isolated from the samples using micro-dissecting needles. Subsequently, these specimens underwent clearing processes before being mounted on Hoyer media for preservation purposes. The identification process involved employing standard taxonomic keys to determine the species of each specimen. Furthermore, statistical analyses provided both mean values as well as confidence intervals (CI) for the mite populations collected for every identified species. Additionally, binomial tests served to assess the distribution patterns across these species.

Out of a grand total of 208 mite specimens analyzed during this investigation phase, seven distinct species namely Haemolaelaps glasgowi (24.52%), Echinolaelaps echidninus (12.02%), Laelaps nuttalli (11.06%), Androlaelaps setosus (13.94%), Neoeucheyla iranica (10.10%), Cheyletus malaccensis (14.90%), and Ornithonyssus bacoti (13.46%) were successfully identified. The distribution of all species displayed a significant statistical value (P < 0.01). Furthermore, an astonishing 80% of the visited households were infested with mites.

This particular study has shed light on the presence of a remarkably diverse array of house dust mite species. The prevalence of certain rodent-related mites suggests that rodents either inhabit or frequent residential homes, prompting the need for further investigation.