Asthma and Allergy to House-dust Mites in Populations Living in High Altitudes

Charpin, D.; Kleisbauer, J P; Lanteaume, A.; Razzouk, H; Vervloët, D.; Toumi, Mondher; Faraj, F.; Charpin, J

doi:10.1378/chest.93.4.758

Cited by 105 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…This might suggest a positive effect of higher altitude, possibly related to a cooler climate with lower humidity. Findings from high altitude in the French Alps and Himalaya support this hypothesis (Charpin et al, 1988;Schei et al, 1999), as they found lower levels of common allergens, like dust mites, and a lower prevalence of allergic sensitization.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Childhood asthma and indoor woodsmoke from cooking in Guatemala

Schei

Hessen

Smith

et al. 2004

J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol

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We estimated the prevalence and severity of asthma, and the association with cooking on open wood fires, as preparation for a large-scale randomized field trial on effects of indoor air pollution and child health. This is one of the first systematic studies of asthma and indoor wood-smoke pollution and to our knowledge the first asthma study in a purely indigeneous population in Latin America. The mothers of 1058 children aged 4-6 years were interviewed, using the standardized ISAAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) procedures and questionnaire. The study population is a Mam-speaking (Maya), indigenous group living at relatively high altitude (2000 m) in Western Guatemalan Highlands. We found that asthma prevalence is low among indigenous children in Gautemala, compared to other populations in Latin America. Only 3.3% of the children reported wheezing symptoms in the last 12 months, and 72% wheezing symptoms ever. The majority of the current wheezers had at least one of the criteria for severe asthma. The prevalence of all the symptoms of asthma was higher in children from households that used open fires compared to improved stoves with chimneys. In a logistic regression model, use of open fire for cooking was a significant risk factor for a number of asthma symptoms, with odds ratios varying from 2.0 to 3.5. Among the different cooking technologies (1Fimproved stove with chimney, 2Fmixture of gas and open fire, 3Fopen fire) trends of higher prevalence with more pollution was found for some of the symptoms. Hence use of open fire for cooking, may be an important risk factor for asthma symptoms and severity.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Childhood asthma and indoor woodsmoke from cooking in Guatemala

Schei

Hessen

Smith

et al. 2004

J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol

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“…Under these circumstances a simple calculation of the population-attributable risk suggests that a major proportion of asthma may be directly attributable to mite allergy. In turn this implies that in an area where high levels of mites are present in houses, not only will many asthmatics have IgE antibodies to mite allergen but the prevalence of the disease may be higher (24,26). It already appears likely that mite allergy and associated asthma are more prevalent in areas where the average mite allergen levels are higher.…”

Section: Development Of Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…-A survey in two areas of France demonstrated a strikingly lower prevalence of asthma at high altitude where the prevalence both of mites and of sensitization was lower (26).…”

mentioning

confidence: 96%

Dust mite allergens and asthma—A worldwide problem

Platts‐Mills¹,

deWeck²,

Aalberse³

et al. 1989

Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

597

304

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After the discovery ofhouse dust mites in 1964 their association with asthma has been reported from many different parts of the world including the developing countries. Two sets of major allergens from mites of the genus Dermatophagoides are now well recognized. The Group I allergens are glycoproteins of relative molecular mass (Mr) 25 000, which show both structural homology and cross-reactivity. The allergen Der p I has been cloned and sequenced confirming the M, and establishing its nature as a protease. The Group II allergens (Mr 15 000) show even closer homology and cross-reactivity.Specific immunoassays for Group I and Group II allergens, using monospecific antisera and monoclonal antibodies, have been standardized and are suitable for measuring allergen levels in different parts of the world.Measures for reducing the levels of mite allergens in houses include the covering of mattresses, hot washing of bedding, and removal of carpets from bedrooms as well as humidity control, vacuum cleaning, and the use ofacaricides in the rest ofthe house. There is already evidence that these procedures can cause a major improvement in the symptoms of asthma. While provisional standards for both sensitization to mites and also mite allergen exposure can now be recommended, there is an urgent needfor controlled studies using protocols demonstrated to reduce mite allergen levels by at least tenfold and for further international collaboration.

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“…When humidity is inferior to 50%, mites dry out and die (326). This is why they are practically nonexistent above 1 800 m in European mountains (327,328) where the air is dry, whereas they are abundant in tropical mountain areas (329,330).…”

Section: Allergen Exposurementioning

confidence: 99%