The Melbourne house dust mite study: Long-term efficacy of house dust mite reduction strategies

Abstract

Background: Asthma severity among mite-sensitized individuals appears to be related to the degree of mite allergen exposure. Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the long-term effectiveness of mite avoidance measures in the homes of asthmatic children in Melbourne, Australia. Methods: The concentration of house dust mite allergen (Der p 1) was measured on the child's mattress surfaces and bedroom floors in 85 homes on 10 occasions over a 16-month period. After the first three visits, all mattresses were covered with a semipermeable encasement, and carpeted bedroom floors were randomly allocated to regular applications of a placebo or an 'anti-mite' shampoo. Results: The conc..