House dust mites in blankets and houses in the highlands of Papua New Guinea.

House dust mites were sought in indigenous houses of parts of the western and eastern highlands of Papua New Guinea during four field visits over a period of five years. A detailed search was made of various materials from different parts of the houses, including blankets. Findings showed that Dermatophagoides species reach very high concentrations in blankets but are relatively scarce in other places in the houses. A possible role for mite contaminated blankets in the reported increased prevalence of asthma in the Eastern Highlands Province is discussed.