ISSN:
1365-2222
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Background Allergen avoidance is recommended when treating atopic asthma. Objectives Soft toys are often kept in close proximity to children and may serve as a source of exposure. Due to the potential danger from the mite allergen content of these toys, Der 1 from toys was measured.Methods We quantified the level of Der I (Der p 1 + Der f 1) in both 30 new and 174 old soft toys (weight 216 ± 2.5g, height 26.5 ± 3.4cm), as well as in washed and in vacuumed soft toys. Dust was collected using an electrie vacuum cleaner. Der 1 was measured by monoclonal antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (MoAb-ELISA).Results In brand new toys Der 1 was 0. I μg/g of dust, and in toys used for 1 year, 9.0; 2 year, 22.2; 3 year, 18.9; and more than 4 year, 22.7μg/g or dust. Der 1 in new toys was measured every 4 months for 1 year. Der I rapidly increased 10- to 20-fold in the first 4 months, but there was no clear seasonal change. In toys washed using a chemical detergent or cleaned using a vacuum cleaner, there was a stastistically significant (P〈0.00I) decrease in Der I in the washed group, but not in the vacuumed group. Conclusion These results confirm that mite allergens accumulate rapidly in toys to form a potentially important source of allergens and that washing toys with a chemical detergent is eflective in the reduction of allergens.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2222.1996.tb00580.x
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