ISSN:
1398-9995
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Carpet and floor dust samples were collected in four different seasons, from 39 Swedish homes of babies with a family history of allergy. House-dust mite (Der p 1, Der f 1) and cat (Fel d 1) allergen contents were determined by mab ELISA, and the levels were related to various environmental factors. Both mite and cat antigens were detected in 94% of the samples and in all homes, but the levels were low (Der p 1, range 15 ng–1944 ng/g fine dust; Der f 1, range 14 ng–264 ng/g of fine dust; Fel d 1, range 16 ng–3120 ng/g fine dust). Mite-allergen levels were significantly higher (P〈0.001) in floor dust than in carpets, and D. pteronyssinus predominated. In contrast, the levels of cat antigen were significantly (P〈0.05) higher in carpets than in floor dust. There was no clear relation between mite-allergen levels and type of house, except that the higher values were found in homes with dampness problems. Cat-allergen levels were higher than total mite-allergen content, and the highest levels were found in homes with a cat (P〈0.05). Rather high concentrations of cat allergen were also found in homes without a cat, which may explain why cat sensitization is so common in Sweden. As the prevalence of house-dust mite sensitivity is increasing in Swedish children, and as the individual patient threshold for eliciting symptoms varies, we suggest that sensitization may possibly occur at a lower exposure level than generally accepted as risk level for sensitization (2 μg/g dust).
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1398-9995.1993.tb00706.x
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