A clinical environmental study of the aeroallergens of the islands of Bermuda.

The major allergen responsible for allergic respiratory disease in the islands of Bermuda has been shown to be derived from Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. 73% of the atopic group included in the survey gave weal and erythema reactions to extracts of this mite, whereas only 30% reacted to mixed pollen extracts and 10% to mould extracts. D. pteronyssinus was isolated from all house dust samples and it represented nature, with only a modest seasonal influence, and pollen counts were low throughout the year.