Introduction and aims: Sensitization to house dust mites is very common in the tropics. This study evaluated the dust mite fauna in Singaporean homes.
Methods: A total of 134 dust samples from 50 homes were evaluated. Dust mites were isolated, identified and quantified by standard techniques.
Results: Dust mites were isolated from 130/134 (97%) samples, with mites identified in all samples from sofas (n = 21) and carpets (n = 13), and 49/50 (98%) and 47/50 (94%) from mattresses and bedroom floors, respectively. All samples from sofas and carpets had more than 500 mites/g compared with 47/50 (94%) and 23/50 (46%) from mattresses and floors, respectively. Blomia tropicalis was the predominant mite (62% of total mites) followed by D. pteronyssinus (16% of total mites). Eight samples had a predominance of Sturnophagoides brasiliensis and Tarsonemus granarius. Other species that accounted approximately 1% of mites identified included D. farinae, Austroglycyphagus malaysiensis, Cheyletus malaccensis, Malayoglyphus intermedius, Suidasia pontifica and Tyrophagus putrescentiae.
Conclusion: Dust mites were highly prevalent and present in high densities in Singaporean homes with B. tropicalis being the most prevalent species.