Quantitation of major allergens in dust samples from urban populations collected in different seasons in two climatic areas of the Basque region (Spain)

Abstract

We present the results of allergen content evaluation in 80 dust samples from 31 homes of atopic patients from two climatic areas (humid and subhumid), collected in two seasons of the year (autumn and winter). Monoclonal antibody-based immunoassays were used to quantify Der p 1, Der f 1, Der 2, Lep d 1, and Fel d 1. The results were compared according to climate, season, and the type of sensitization (Pyroglyphidae mites, storage mites, or grass pollens). We underline the predominance of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (89% of samples) over D. farinae (16% of samples) in our environment. Der p 1 rates were higher in the humid area (Mann-Whitney P < 0.001), especially in the autumn (Wilcoxon P < 0.05). Lep d 1 was detected in 23% of samples and Lep d 1 levels were higher in the homes of patients sensitized to storage mites (Mann-Whitney P < 0.05), whereas this allergen was not detected in the homes of pollen-allergic patients. Fel d 1 was detected in nine of the 31 homes (16% of samples) although there was a cat in only one home.

Distribution of dust‐mite allergens (Lep d 2, Der p 1, Der f 1, Der 2) in pig‐farming environments and sensitization of the respective farmers

“…Our ®ndings are consistent with this observation, since we found the highest concentrations of Lep d 2 (median 0.52 mg/g) in the grain mill. Echechipia et al (19) detected Lep d 2 in 23% of housedust samples in an urban population, with low levels (0.05±0.20 mg/g) in 10%, moderate levels (0.21±2.00 mg/ g) in 6%, high levels (2.01±10.00 mg/g) in 3%, and very high levels (>10 mg/g) in 4%. While Lep d 2 in our (3), who also found very high concentrations of house-dust mites in the mattresses of farmers (median count was 1480 living mites/g dust, D. pteronyssinus, D. farinae, any other house-dust mite).…”

“…The extracts were centrifuged (4000 rpm, 15 min), passed through a 0.45-mm pore size ®lter (Acrodisc GHP, Gelman Sciences, Rossdorf, Germany), and stored in aliquots at x20uC. Extracts were mailed on dry ice to the Research Department of Alergia e Immunologõ Âa Abello  , Madrid, Spain, and the measurements were performed on dust extracts by monoclonal antibody ELISA for Lep d 2, Der p 1, Der f 1, and Dermatophagoides group 2 allergens (Der 2) (13,19). Allergen concentrations were expressed as micrograms per gram of sieved dust.…”

Climate and the prevalence of symptoms of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic eczema in children

“…Therefore, studies on the long term effects of climate were limited to comparisons of areas within countries. [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] Most of these studies had low numbers of study centres and much less variation in climatic conditions than could be achieved by international comparisons. Thus, the value of the information generated by previous investigations is limited and it is difficult to draw firm conclusions.…”

Guanine, mite, and cockroach allergens in Costa Rican homes

“…In studies from various parts of the world where an increasing prevalence of asthma has been reported, mite (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12) and cockroach (13-18) allergens have been abundant and strongly associated with bronchial asthma, both as inducers and triggers. We have investigated the importance of these environmental factors in Costa Rica by taking dust samples from homes in this tropical country.…”