Abstract
Storage mites, especially several species in the families Acaridae, Glycyphagidae, and Chortoglyphidae are commonly found in farming and occupational environments. They are a source of clinically important allergens, and may also have a significant impact on forensic analyses. They may be of use in forensic situations, particularly as allergenic taxa, in relation to workers who are occupationally exposed to mites. Additionally, because many of them are present through all stages of vertebrate decomposition, they may provide valuable information as indicators of time and circumstances of death. This study aimed to investigate the possible occurrence and abundance of allergenic mites in farm buildings, as well as to examine and analyse collected material samples in relation to forensic medicine. A total of 58 samples from 15 farms in the Żywiecki district (Silesian Province, Poland) were examined as potential sources of allergenic mites in farm buildings with a special reference to forensic acarology. Mites were found in all the examined samples. A total of 4,473 specimens were isolated and 22 mite species were identified. Most of them were found in barns and pigsties. The species composition of the acarofauna was varied across the particular types of farm buildings examined. Generally, the dominant species were representatives of families Acaridae and Glycyphagidae (Astigmatina). This knowledge may be useful in a variety of cases or situations in the field of forensic medicine.
Highlights
It is impossible to draw a line between allochthonic and autochthonic fauna of mites inhabiting farm buildings (van Bronswijk 1981; Solarz 2009)
A total of 58 samples of materials collected from 15 farms in 2 localities (Kamesznica and Tresna) in the Żywiecki district (Silesian Province, south-western Poland) were examined as potential sources of allergenic mites in farm buildings with a special reference to forensic acarology (Table 1)
Eudominant species belonged to the family Acaridae (Astigmatina) – Acarus siro (25.6% of all mites) and A. farris (17.75%), as well as Glycyphagus domesticus (10.3%) of the family Glycyphagidae (Astigmatina)
Summary
It is impossible to draw a line between allochthonic and autochthonic fauna of mites inhabiting farm buildings (van Bronswijk 1981; Solarz 2009). Rhinitis, and conjunctivitis commonly occur among farmers, grain storage workers, and other agricultural workers (Dutkiewicz et al 1988; Revsbech and Dueholm 1990; Fain et al 1990; van Hage-Hamsten and Johansson 1998). These mites cause IgE-mediated sensitisation in workers from these occupational categories who are exposed to organic dust containing these mites’ allergens (Sánchez-Ramos et al 2004; Arlian 2002; Berger et al 2005; Cichecka et al 2006; Solarz 2012)
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