• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.490-494
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• 2014

Dermatophagoides farinae plays important role in the pathogenesis of canine atopic dermatitis as environmental allergens. Also, many studies revealed that D. farinae was the main causative allergen for Korean dogs with atopic dermatitis. To identify major allergens of D. farinae in Korean atopic dogs allergic to D. farinae by immunoblot using commercial allergenic extracts, 26 dogs from two groups were enrolled in the study. Control group consists of 10 dogs with no clinical signs of disease and atopic group consists of 16 dogs diagnosed as atopic dermatitis. Sera from Korean dogs with atopic dermatitis showed six allergens of D. farinae extract by procedure of immunoblot. The molecular weights of identifying protein bands were 177, 109, 75, 44, 27, 15 kDa. The major allergens showing reactivity with greater than 50% of atopic dogs were detected at approximately 44, 109 and 177 kDa. Subsequent investigations will be carried out to verify the identity of the allergens detected in this study.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.1394-1398
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• 2007

Acaricidal activity of the active constituent derived from Pyrus ussuriensis fruits against Dermatophagoides farinae and D. pteronyssinus was examined and compared with that of the commercial benzyl benzoate. The $LD_{50}$ value of the ethyl acetate fraction obtained from the aqueous extract of P. ussuriensis fruits was 9.51 and $8.59{\mu}g/cm^3$ against D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus, respectively. The active constituent was identified as quinone by spectroscopic analyses. On the basis of $LD_{50}$ values with quinone and its congeners, the compound most toxic against D. farinae was quinone ($1.19{\mu}g/cm^3$), followed by quinaldine (1.46), benzyl benzoate (9.32), 4-quinolinol (86.55), quinine (89.16), and 2-quinolinol (91.13). Against D. pteronyssinus, these were quinone ($1.02{\mu}g/cm^3$), followed by quinaldine (1.29), benzyl benzoate (8.54), 4-quinolinol (78.63), quinine (82.33), and 2-quinolinol (86.24). These results indicate that the acaricidal activity of the aqueous extracts can be mostly attributed to quinone. Quinone was about 7.8 and 8.4 times more toxic than benzyl benzoate against D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus. Additionally, quinaldine was about 6.4 and 6.6 times more toxic than benzyl benzoate against D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus, respectively. Furthermore, the skin color of the dust mites was changed from colorless-transparent to dark brown-black by the treatment of quinone. These results indicate that quinone can be very useful as potential control agents, lead compounds, or the indicator of house dust mites.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.631-634
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• 2004

The oils of Acorus gramineus, Cinnamomum sieboldii, Eugenia aromatica, and Inula helenium were tested for their acaricidal activity against Dermatophagoides farinae and D. pteronyssinus. Responses varied according to dose and mite species. As compared to the oils, the oil most toxic to D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus was E. aromatica, followed by C. sieboldii, A. gramineus, and I. helenium. On the basis of $LD_{50}$ values of the oils in A. gramineus, C. sieboldii, and E. aromatica, the compound most toxic against D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus was eugenol congeners (isoeugenol>eugenol>acetyleugenol) followed by benzyl benzoate, salicylaldehyde, safro1, DEET, cinnamyl alcohol, and 3-carene. As a naturally occurring acaricide, these oils and eugenol congeners could be useful as new acaricidal agents against Dermatophagoides spp.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.805-809
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• 2004

The antimite activities of cumin seed oil-derived cuminaldehyde and eleven commercial components of Cuminum cyminum oil were examined against Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus adults and compared with those of benzyl benzoate and N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide. Responses varied according to dose and mite species. On the basis of $LD_{50}$ values, the compound most toxic to D. farinae adults was cuminaldehyde ($2.40\mug/cm^2$) followed by benzyl benzoate ($9.32\mug/cm^2$), thymol ($9.43\mug/cm^2$), DEET ($36.84\mug/cm^2$), and 3-carene ($42.11\mug/cm^2$). Against D. pteronyssinus adults, cuminaldehyde ($1.94\mug/cm^2$) was much more effective than benzyl benzoate ($6.50\mug/cm^2$) thymol ($6.92\mug/cm^2$), DEET ($17.79\mug/cm^2$), and 3-carene ($39.85\mug/cm^2$). These results indicate that the antimite activity of cumin seed oil could be caused by cuminaldehyde. Cuminaldehyde was about 3.9 and 3.4 times more toxic than benzyl benzoate against D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus adults, respectively. Therefore, further study is needed to confirm the findings of this study and the possibility of cuminaldehyde as a house dust mite control agent or a lead compound.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.1591-1596
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• 2006

Acaricidal effects of materials derived from Caesalpinia sappan heartwoods against Dermatophagoides farinae and D. pteronyssinus were assessed and compared with those evidenced by commercial benzyl benzoate and DEET. The observed responses varied according to dosage and mite species. The $LD_{50}$ values of the methanol extracts derived from C. sappan heartwoods were 6.13 and $5.44{\mu}g/cm^3$ against D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus, respectively. Furthermore, the ethyl acetate fraction derived from the methanol extract was approximately 8.71 more toxic than DEET against D. farinae, and 4.73 times more toxic against D. pteronyssinus. The biologically active constituent from the ethyl acetate fraction of C. sappan heartwood extract was purified via silica gel chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. The structure of the acaricidal component was analyzed by $GC-MS,\;^1H-NMR,\;^{13}C-NMR,\;^1H-^{13}C\;COSY-NMR$, and DEPT-NMR spectroscopy, and identified as juglone (5-hydroxy-l,4-naphthoquinone). Based on the $LD_{50}$ values of juglone and its derivatives, the most toxic compound against D. farinae was juglone ($0.076{\mu}g/cm^3$), followed by benzyl benzoate ($9.143{\mu}g/cm^3$) and 2methyl-l,4-naphthoquinone ($40.0{\mu}g/cm^3$). These results indicate that the acaricidal activity of C. sappan heartwoods is likely to be the result of the effects of juglone. Additionally, juglone treatment was shown to effect a change in the color of the cuticles of house dust mites, from colorless-transparent to dark brownish-black. Accordingly, as a naturally occurring acaricidal agent, C. sappan heartwood-derived juglone should prove to be quite 'useful as a potential control agent, lead compound, and house dust mite indicator.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.29-36
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• 2001

Objectives: This study attempted to investigate the allergic histories and the distribution of offending allergens in the general public and further to help their diagnosis and treatment with Oriental Medicine. Methods: Allergic skin tests (AST) were performed and allergic histories were taken of 359 members of the general public who visited the International Exhibition on Oriental Medicine from Sept. 1 to Sept. 5, 2000. The allergen reagents for AST were three (House dust, D. farinae, Dog hair) and the control reagent was histamine solution. Results: 1.50.1 % of the subjects (n=359) were positive to AST. The ratio between males' positivity and females' was 1.06：1. 2. The younger the subjects were, the higher the positivity was. 3. The positive subjects' (n=180) positivity to three allergens was as follows: D. farinae 98.9%, House dust 30.0%, Dog hair 1.7%. 4. The younger the positive subjects were, the higher the positivity to House dust was. In contrast, the positivity to D. farinae was high in all age groups. 5.71.1 % of the positive subjects reacted positively to monotype allergen and 28.9% reacted positively to multiple allergens (2.46：1). The most common monotype allergen was D. farinae (98.4%) and the most common combination of multiple allergens was House dust and D. farinae (94.2%). 6.52.8% of the positive subjects (n=180) and 51.4% of the negative subjects (n=179) represented the history of allergic diseases. There was no relationship between allergic skin test and allergic diseases. Conclusion: To help in diagnosis and treatment with oriental medicine, research to analyze the relationship between allergic skin test and allergic diseases should be continued on the basis of Oriental medical theories.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.314-321
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• 2008

Acaricidal effects of materials derived from Diospyros kaki roots against Dermatophagoides farinae and D. pteronyssinus were assessed using impregnated fabric disk bioassay and compared with that of the commercial benzyl benzoate. The observed responses varied according to dosage and mite species. The $LD_{50}$ values of the chloroform extract of Diospyros kaki roots were 1.66 and $0.96{\mu}g/cm^2$ against D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus. The chloroform extract of Diospyros kaki roots was approximately 15.2 more toxic than benzyl benzoate against D. farinae, and 7.6 times more toxic against D. pteronyssinus. Purification of the biologically active constituent from D. kaki roots was done by using silica gel chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. The structure of the acaricidal component was analyzed by GC-MS, $^1H-NMR,\;^{13}C-NMR,\;^1H-^{13}C$ COSY-NMR, and DEPT-NMR spectra, and identified as plumbagin. The acaricidal activity of plumbagin and its derivatives (naphthazarin, dichlon, 2,3-dibromo-1,4-naphthoquinone, and 2-bromo-1,4-naphthoquinone) was examined. On the basis of $LD_{50}$ values, the most toxic compound against D. farinae was naphthazarin $(0.011{\mu}g/cm^2)$ followed by plumbagin $(0.019{\mu}g/cm^2),$ 2-bromo-1,4-naphthoquinone $(0.079{\mu}g/cm^2)$, dichlon $(0.422{\mu}g/cm^2)$, and benzyl benzoate $(9.14{\mu}g/cm^2)$. Additionally, the skin color of the dust mites was changed from colorless-transparent to dark brown-black by the treatment of plumbagin. Similar results have been exhibited in its derivatives (naphthazarin, dichlon, and 2-bromo-1,4-naphthoquinone). In contrast, little or no discoloration was observed for benzyl benzoate. From this point of view, plumbagin and its derivatives can be very useful for the potential control agents, lead compounds, and indicator of house dust mites.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.55 no.9
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• pp.322-329
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• 2012

Purpose: Aeroallergens are important causative factors of allergic diseases. Previous studies on aeroallergen sensitization rates investigated patients groups that had visited pediatric allergy clinics. In contrast, we investigated sensitization rates in a general population group of elementary school to teenage students in Incheon, Jeju, and Ulsan. Methods: After obtaining parental consent, skin-prick tests were performed on 5,094 students between March and June 2010. Elementary school students were tested for 18 common aeroallergens, whereas middle and high school students were tested for 25 allergens. The 25 allergens included Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, pollen (birch, alder, oak, Japanese cedar, pine, willow, elm, maple, Bermuda grass, timothy grass, rye grass, orchard grass, meadow grass, vernal grass, mugwort, Japanese hop, fat hen, ragweed, and plantain), and mold (Penicillatum, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Alternaria). Results: The sensitization rates in descending order were 25.79% (D. pteronyssinus ), 18.66% (D. farinae ), 6.20% (mugwort), and 4.07% (willow) in Incheon; 33.35% (D. pteronyssinus ), 24.78% (D. farinae), 15.36% (Japanese cedar), and 7.33% (Alternaria) in Jeju; and 32.79% (D. pteronyssinus), 30.27% (D. farinae), 10.13% (alder), and 8.68% (birch) in Ulsan. The dust mite allergen showed the highest sensitization rate among the 3 regions. The sensitization rate of tree pollen was the highest in Ulsan, whereas that of Alternaria was the highest in Jeju. The ragweed sensitization rates were 0.99% in Incheon, 1.07% in Jeju, and 0.81% in Ulsan. Conclusion: The differences in sensitization rates were because of different regional environmental conditions and distinct surrounding biological species. Hence, subsequent nationwide studies are required.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.151-155
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• 2010

Allergen extracts from dust mites and cockroaches commonly found in Korean homes were used to evaluate their enzymatic activity as they are believed to influence allergenicity. Allergen extracts were prepared from 3 dust mite species (Dermatophagoides farinae, D. pteronyssinus, and Tyrophagus putrescentiae) and 3 cockroach species (Blattella germanica, Periplaneta americana, and P. fuliginosa) maintained in the Korea National Arthropods of Medical Importance Resource Bank. Proteins were extracted in PBS after homogenization using liquid nitrogen. The activities of various enzymes were investigated using the API Zym system. No significant difference in phosphatase, lipase, or glycosidase activity was observed among the 6 allergen extracts, but much difference was observed in protease activity. Protease activity was assessed in more detail by gelatin zymography and the EnzChek assay. Extract from T. putrescentiae showed the highest protease activity, followed by those of the cockroach extracts. Extracts from D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus showed only weak protease activity. Gelatinolytic activity was detected mainly in a 30-kDa protein in D. farinae, a 28-kDa protein in D. pteronyssinus, a > 26-kDa protein in T. putrescentiae, a > 20-kDa protein in B. germanica, and a > 23-kDa protein in P. americana and P. fuliginosa. The information on various enzymatic activities obtained in this study may be useful for future studies. In particular, the strong protease activity found in cockroach extracts could contribute to sensitization to cockroach allergens, which is known to be associated with the development of asthma.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.73-76
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• 2005

The acaricidal activities of 12 commercial constituents derived from Eugenia caryophyllata leaf oils against Dermatophagoides farinae, D. pteronyssinus and Tyrophagus putrescentiae adults were examined using an impregnated fabric disk application and compared with that of the commercial benzyl benzoate as synthetic acaricide. On the basis of $LD_{50}$ values, the most toxic compound was methyl eugenol ($4.13\;{\mu}g/cm^2$), followed by methyl isoeugenol ($4.19\;{\mu}g/cm^2$), isoeugenol ($4.29\;{\mu}g/cm^2$), eugenol ($4.94\;{\mu}g/cm^2$), and acetyl eugenol ($13.91\;{\mu}g/cm^2$) against D. farinae. In the case of D. pteronyssinus, isoeugenol ($2.93\;{\mu}g/cm^2$) was the most toxic, followed by methyl isoeugenol ($3.28\;{\mu}g/cm^2$), methyl eugenol ($3.87\;{\mu}g/cm^2$), eugenol ($3.92\;{\mu}g/cm^2$), and acetyl eugenol ($7.21\;{\mu}g/cm^2$). These results suggest that D. pteronyssinus may be controlled more effectively by the application of eugenol congeners than D. farinae. In comparison with synthetic acaricides, the acaricidal activities of eugenol, isoeugenol, methyl eugenol, and methyl isoeugenol were about 1.9-2.2 times more toxic than benzyl benzoate. Furthermore, the most toxic constituent against T. putrescentiae was exhibited on eugenol ($10.11\;{\mu}g/cm^2$), followed by methyl eugenol ($38.67\;{\mu}g/cm^2$) and acetyl eugenol ($70.09\;{\mu}g/cm^2$), but no activity was observed for isoeugenol and methyl isoeugenol. The results suggested that eugenol congeners may be useful as a new source for selective control of house dust mites and stored food mites.