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Dust mites are present in almost every home – in our beds, clothing and carpets. Conservatively, at least 100 million people are affected by house dust mite allergy worldwide, manifesting itself as asthma, rhinitis or atopic dermatitis. Despite the growing recognition of this major public health problem, there is still no simple, effective, generally applicable strategy for dust mite control.
Dust Mites incorporates for the first time in a single volume the topics of systematics and identification, physiology, ecology, allergen biochemistry and molecular biology, epidemiology, mite control and allergen avoidance. It explains key biological and ecological concepts for non-specialist readers, discusses ecological research methods and includes identification keys to dust mite species and life-cycle stage. It also explores how characteristics of population growth, water balance and physiology of dust mites have contributed to their importance as allergenic organisms.
Many chapters contain new data, or new analyses of existing data, including global distribution maps of the most important species. Importantly, Dust Mites emphasises that studies of the biology and ecology of house dust mites should be regarded within the context of allergic disease rather than as ends in themselves, and that approaches to mite control in clinical management are subject to the same series of ecological rules as any other major problem in pest management.
- Identification and taxonomy, classification and phylogeny
- Physiology and internal anatomy
- Water balance
- Ecology
- Development, life histories and population dynamics
- Methods in house dust mite ecology and biology
- Dust mite allergens
- Allergy and epidemiology
- Control of dust mites and allergen avoidance
- Conclusions and reflections
Matthew Colloff is a senior research scientist with CSIRO Entomology based in Canberra, Australia. He has studied the biology and ecology of dust mites for the last 25 years, focussing on factors affecting their global distribution and abundance, as well as methods for dust mite control. When not working on dust mites, he researches the ecology and management of Australian native vegetation communities.
"This book is indeed significant, of interest well beyond the acarologist or medical entomologist specialist readership [...] all that one might wish to discover about dust mites. [...] Each of the main chapters [...] would be valuable to students seeking very clear explanations of the main principles involved. [...] The book is very well-illustrated [...] . much wider appeal to those interested in arthropod biology, and that emphasizes need for the study of dust mites to go hand-in-hand with that of allergic diseases."
- Tim R. New, Journal of Insect Conservation, July, 2009
"Dust Mites by Matthew J Colloff is a key reference work that provides a unique insight into the biology of dust mites. [...] will be of great value to mite taxonomists. [...] deserves a prominent place in the library of anyone interested in dust mites and their associated allergens [...] . This book is [...] accessible to the lay reader. Dr. Colloff is to be congratulated on his achievement in making such a vast body of knowledge so readily available."
- Ian Thompson, TARSUS, Issue 588, September, 2009
"This new textbook on dust mites by Dr. Matthew J. Colloff [...] lives up to its name as the comprehensive reference text on these remarkable creatures. Malt Colloff is a world expert on dust mite biology, ecology and allergy. The text is full of acarological detail, with beautiful figures, and a fascinating history of mites and man. [...] Every allergist should have a copy!"
- Martin Chapman, INDOOR Biotechnologies, July, 2009
"Dust Mites deals with every aspect on the taxonomy, physiology, ecology and control of mites in our houses, as well as areas regarding allergens and epidemiology. It is the first text on the topic, which seems surprising considering not only their importance but also public perception. [...] This handsome book is a well-written, comprehensive text and essential reference on one of the most important areas of mite research."
- Owen Seeman, Australian Journal of Entomology, Vol. 49 (1), 2010
