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Publication Number
US-11344031-B2
Publication Date
2022-05-31
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention relates to a method of treating or preventing a house dust mite infestation, said method comprising applying an acaricidal infectious agent at a site of a house dust mite infestation, or at a site proximal thereto, or at a site at risk of such infestation. Also encompassed are uses of acaricidal infectious agents, methods of isolating acaricidal infectious agents, acaricidal infectious agents obtainable by said methods, acaricidal infectious agent formulations, foodstuffs and mite attractants comprising the same.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a biological control approach for house dust mite management using a fungal acaricidal infectious agent. The agent is capable of transmissible infection by replication and amplification of the agent in or on a house dust mite, and it is structurally and functionally distinct from chemical and bacterial acaricidal agents that are incapable of infection and replication in or on the house dust mite.
The method is used to treat or prevent a house dust mite infestation by applying the fungal acaricidal infectious agent at a site of an infestation, proximal to such a site, or at a site at risk of infestation. The fungal acaricidal infectious agent is applied to fabrics, bedding, upholstered materials, padded furnishings, soft toys, carpets, curtains, filling materials, clothing, soft furnishings, or combinations thereof.
The described approach is further grounded on targeting major house dust mite species or genera, including Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, and Euroglyphus maynei. The agent classes discussed include viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoan agents, while non-replicating toxin-based agents are excluded from consideration.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim provides a method framework with 3 main inventive elements: using a fungal acaricidal infectious agent with transmissible infection via replication and amplification in or on mites, applying it at infestation/proximal/risk sites, and applying it to specified in-house materials. Dependent claims further add specific mite genera/species and specify fungal genera/species and cross-species infectivity constraints.
Transmissible fungal acaricidal infectious agent capable of replication and amplification in or on mites
Applying a fungal acaricidal infectious agent that is capable of transmissible infection by replication and amplification of the agent in or on the house dust mite, and that is structurally and functionally distinct from chemical and bacterial acaricidal agents incapable of infection and replication in or on the house dust mite.
Application at infestation, proximal, or risk sites
Applying the fungal acaricidal infectious agent at a site of a house dust mite infestation, or at a site proximal thereto, or at a site at risk of such infestation.
Application to specified in-house fabrics and soft materials
Applying the fungal acaricidal infectious agent to fabrics, bedding, upholstered materials, padded furnishings, soft toys, carpets, curtains, filling materials, clothing, soft furnishings, or combinations thereof.
Targeted house dust mite genera
Selecting one or more house dust mite genera from Dermatophagoides, Euroglyphus, or combinations thereof.
Targeted house dust mite species
Using one or more specified house dust mite species or combinations thereof, including Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, Dermatophagoides microceras, Dermatophagoides siboney, and Euroglyphus maynei.
Fungal agent genus scope
Using a fungal acaricidal infectious agent from the genus Beauveria or Microspora, or a combination of both.
Specific Beauveria species
Using a fungal acaricidal infectious agent that is Beauveria bassiana, Beauveria brongniartii, or combinations of these species.
Infecting two or more mite species
Using an agent that infects two or more species of house dust mite.
Overall claim coverage focuses on treating or preventing house dust mite infestations using fungal acaricidal infectious agents that transmit via replication and amplification in or on mites, applied to infestation-prone in-house materials. Dependent claims narrow the target to specified Dermatophagoides and Euroglyphus genera and listed species, and narrow the fungal agent scope to Beauveria and/or Microspora, including Beauveria bassiana and Beauveria brongniartii, with cross-species infectivity constraints.
Stated Advantages
Provides a biological control method distinct from chemical and bacterial acaricidal agents that are incapable of infection and replication in or on the house dust mite.
Enables treating or preventing house dust mite infestations by applying a fungal infectious agent that can transmissibly infect and amplify in or on the mites.
Documented Applications
Reducing house dust mite infestation by applying a fungal acaricidal infectious agent to fabrics, bedding, upholstered materials, padded furnishings, soft toys, carpets, curtains, filling materials, clothing, soft furnishings, or combinations thereof.
Reducing mite-derived allergen, preventing sensitisation, and treating allergen-caused conditions such as asthma.
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