[The biology of the house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Trouessart, 1897) (acarina:astigmata). I. Colonization of mites on new matresses].

The prevalence of the house-dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus in four different kinds of test mattresses was investigated. In a first series of experiments the mites showed no preference to any of the mattresses - irrespective of the stuffing material - when the surface was smooth and unstitched. In a second series of experiments two buttons each were sewed on on both sides of the mattresses. Subsequently the mites showed a distinct preference to the depressed area around the buttons. These findings were confirmed in used mattresses provided by patients. The importance of these "nishes" in relation to mite allergies is discussed.