House dust mites are microarthropods that occur in most human homes in humid geographical areas, and these organisms are known to be a major cause of house dust allergy. The mites live in the dust in mattresses, carpets and upholstered furniture where they feed on shed skin scales. Storage mites occur in stored grains and food made from grains, barn dust, and livestock feed and they may occur in homes too. Like house dust mites, storage mites also sensitize and induce allergic reactions in humans. Our research concentrates on characterization of the allergens from house dust and storage mites and the allergic response in dust sensitive individuals. Also, various aspects of the mite biology and ecology that allows these organisms to survive in the microenvironment in homes are being investigated.
Mite-caused scabies is an important, widespread, highly contagious skin disease of humans and other mammals. Little is known about the biology of the mite and the host-parasite interactions. We are investigating the host inflammatory and immune response mechanisms to scabies mites and how the parasite modulates these responses. Our goal is to develop a better understanding of the host-parasite relationship that will lead to development of novel strategies for prevention, control and treatment of this disease.
Representative Publications:
Yadav A, Elder BL, Morgan MS, Vyszenski-Moher DL, Arlian LG. 2005. Prevalence of serum IgE to storage mites in a southwestern Ohio population. Annals Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (in press)
Arlian LG, Morgan MS, Paul CP. 2005. Evidence that scabies mites influence production of IL-10 and the function of T-regulatory cells in humans. J Med Entomol. (in press)
Kondreddi PK, Elder BL, Morgan MS Arlian LG. 2005 Sensitization toTyrophagus is important in the U. S.
Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (in press).
Valerio CR, Murray P, Arlian LG, Slater JE. 2005. Bacterial 16S ribosomal DNA in house dust mite cultures. J
Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology (in Press)
Rapp CM, Morgan MS, Arlian LG. 2005. Presences of host immunoglobulin in the gut of Sarcoptes scabiei
(Sarcoptidae: Sarcoptes scabiei). J Med Entomol. (in press).
Arlian LG, Morgan MS, Neal JS. 2004. Extracts of scabies mites (Sarcoptidae: Sarcoptes scabiei) modulate cytokine expression by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and dendritic cells. J Med Entomol. 41:69-73.
Arlian LG, Morgan MS, Estes SA, Walton SF, Kemp DJ, Currie BJ. 2004. Circulating IgE in patients with ordinary and crusted scabies. J Med Entomol. 41:74-77.
Lalli PN, Morgan MS, Arlian LG. 2004. Skewed Th1/Th2 immune response to Sarcoptes scabiei . J Parasitology. 90:711-714. (in press)
Arlian LG, Morgan MS, Neal JS. 2004. Modulation of cytokine expression by keratinocytes and fibroblasts by extracts opf scabies mites. Trop Med Hyg. 69:652-656.
Arlian LG, Morgan MS, Neal JS. 2003. Extracts of scabies mites modulate cytokine expression by keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Trop Med Hyg. 69:652-656.
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