Efficacy of air cleaners in asthmatics allergic to cat in ALYATEC^® environmental exposure chamber

Abstract

Background Air cleaners have been promoted for respiratory allergic disease prevention, but there is no clear clinical proof of their efficacy in allergic asthma. Objective To examine the efficacy of a new air cleaner on early and late asthmatic responses in cat‐allergic patients. Methods This randomized, cross‐over, double‐blind placebo‐controlled study enrolled 24 cat‐asthmatic patients with GINA 1 asthma. At baseline, participants were exposed to 40 ng/m3 of airborne cat allergen for a maximum of 2 hours in ALYATEC® environmental exposure chamber (EEC). All participants were subsequently randomized into two groups that were exposed to cat allergen, either with active then placebo air cleaners or with placebo then active air cleaners with a 3‐week interval in the EEC. This study was registered under number (NCT03928561). Results Fewer patients experienced an EAR with active air cleaners (seven patients; 29.17%) than placebo (21 patients; 87.50%). The response incidence was lower with active than with placebo air cleaners. A Cox model demonstrated a significant treatment effect (hazard ratio, 0.10; P = .002). Active air cleaners also prevented late asthmatic response: four patients (16.67%) had a late asthmatic response with active air cleaners compared to 11 patients (45.83%) with placebo (Prescott test P = .002). Active air cleaners also decreased the maximal severity of bronchial response (FEV1 decrease of 17.24% with active vs 25.62% with placebo air cleaners; P = .001). Conclusions Our present results demonstrated that Intense Pure Air XL® air cleaners significantly prevented early and late asthmatic responses among cat‐allergic asthmatics during cat allergen exposure in the ALYATEC® EEC.

Non-commercial Air Purifier—The Effectiveness and Safety

“…Combining HEPA filtration, zirconium-based Photochemical oxidation, and germicidal UV irradiation Bioaerosols 41% [38] Philips AP (AC3256) Equipped with a HEPA and an activated carbon filter Cat and dog allergen 60% [21] Pure Air XL ® PU6020F0 model Rowenta HEPA filters Cat allergen 35% [20] On the other hand, some authors considered the ozone levels from 0.08 (190 µg/m 3 ) to 3 ppm (7230 µg/m 3 ) in the environment as toxic and it has been associated with various adverse health effects, including the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduction in lung function induced airway inflammation through the infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages in both healthy individuals, and those who already have some kind of respiratory disease, exacerbation of respiratory illnesses, and increased rates of hospital admissions [15,39].…”

“…Our levels of reduction are similar to the results of Shaughnessy et al (42% ± 14%) [35], who used analogous construction elements: ozone generator, prefilter, and activated carbon. On the other hand, the bioaerosol reduction by commercial air purifiers allows for achieving 50% of bioaerosol reduction with a much higher cost of the device [11,17,20,21]. However, higher efficiency and lower costs of our construction require particular attention because of the accompanying emission of ozone into the room.…”

Developments allergy in 2019 through the eyes of Clinical and Experimental Allergy, Part II clinical allergy

“…The role of the ALYATEC environmental exposure chamber has therefore been investigated by Gherasim and colleagues specifically for cat-allergic asthmatics. 81 They undertook a randomized double-blind cross-over trial in 24 cat-allergic patients with mild GINA level 1 asthma. Participants were exposed to approximately natural levels of cat allergen and then randomized to active or placebo air cleaners.…”

“…It is likely that their role is influenced by the phenotype of the patients and their pattern and severity of allergen sensitization. The role of the ALYATEC environmental exposure chamber has therefore been investigated by Gherasim and colleagues specifically for cat‐allergic asthmatics 81 . They undertook a randomized double‐blind cross‐over trial in 24 cat‐allergic patients with mild GINA level 1 asthma.…”

Origins of allergic airway disease and dealing with environmental allergens

“…However, to date approves to controlling environmental allergen exposure has been suboptimal . Gherasim et al assess the ability of an air cleaner (Intense Pure Air X) to control lung function responses to cat allergen exposure in an environmental exposure chamber (Fig ) . This approach provides optimal control on exposure, minimizing variability with the experimental system and promoting sensitivity to detecting the impact of an intervention.…”