ABSTRACT

House dust is composed of remnants and particles of many kinds of animate and inanimate materials. It has been reported that the most common allergens in house dust are mites that cause allergic rhinitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis, and seasonal keratoconjunctivitis. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of house dust mites in dust specimens sent to our laboratory from November 2002-May 2004. Specimens were evaluated using the flotation concentration method in the first, fourth and 24th hours. Out of 88 specimens, mites were detected in 20 (22.72%). In addition Enterobius vermicularis eggs were found in two specimens.