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Marcot C, Migueres N, Ott M, Khayath N, De Blay F. [Allergenic and chemical pollutants of indoor environments and asthma: Characterization, assessment and eviction]. Rev Mal Respir 2023; 40:630-645. [PMID: 37391338 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmr.2023.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
The environment of an asthmatic patient can contain numerous sources of pollutants that degrade the quality of indoor air and have major repercussions on the occurrence and control of asthma. Assessment and improvement of the quality of indoor air should be assigned a major role in pneumology and allergology consultations. Characterization of an asthmatic's environment entails a search for biological pollutants with mite allergens, mildew, and allergens resulting from the proximity of pets. It is important to evaluate the chemical pollution represented by exposure to volatile organic compounds, which are increasingly present in our lodgings. Active or second-hand smoking must in all circumstances be sought out and quantified. Assessment of the environment is mediated by several methods, of which the application depends not only on the pollutant sought out, but also on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), which has an essential role in quantification of biological pollutants. Attempts at expulsion of the different indoor environment pollutants is mediated by indoor environment advisors, whose efforts are aimed at obtaining reliable evaluation and control of indoor air. Implemented as a form of tertiary prevention, their methods are conducive to improved asthma control, in adults as well as children.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Marcot
- Pôle de pathologie thoracique, hôpitaux universitaires de Strasbourg, 1, place de l'Hôpital, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
| | - N Migueres
- Pôle de pathologie thoracique, hôpitaux universitaires de Strasbourg, 1, place de l'Hôpital, 67000 Strasbourg, France; UMR 7357 laboratoire des sciences de l'ingénieur, de l'informatique et de l'imagerie ICUBE, Strasbourg, France
| | - M Ott
- Pôle de pathologie thoracique, hôpitaux universitaires de Strasbourg, 1, place de l'Hôpital, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - N Khayath
- Pôle de pathologie thoracique, hôpitaux universitaires de Strasbourg, 1, place de l'Hôpital, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - F De Blay
- Pôle de pathologie thoracique, hôpitaux universitaires de Strasbourg, 1, place de l'Hôpital, 67000 Strasbourg, France; Fédération translationnelle de médecine EA3070, université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
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2
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Banzon TM, Phipatanakul W. Environmental Interventions for Asthma. Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2022; 43:720-738. [PMID: 35803266 DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1749453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Exposure and sensitization to environmental factors play a fundamental role in asthma development and is strongly associated with asthma morbidity. While hereditary factors are critical determinants of asthma, exposures to environmental factors are implicated in the phenotypic expression of asthma and have been strongly associated in the risk of its development. Significant interest has thus been geared toward potentially modifiable environmental exposures which may lead to the development of asthma. Allergen exposure, in particular indoor allergens, plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of asthma, and remediation is a primary component of asthma management. In the home, multifaceted and multitargeted environmental control strategies have been shown to reduce home exposures and improve asthma outcomes. In addition to the home environment, assessment of the school, daycare, and workplace environments of patients with asthma is necessary to ensure appropriate environmental control measures in conjunction with medical care. This article will discuss the role of the environment on asthma, review targeted environmental therapy, and examine environmental control measures to suppress environmental exposures in the home and school setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina M Banzon
- Deparmtent of Allergy and Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Wanda Phipatanakul
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Division of Immunology, Clinical Research Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Asthma, Allergy and Immunology, Boston, Massachusetts
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Sun L, Miller JD, Van Ryswyk K, Wheeler AJ, Héroux M, Goldberg MS, Mallach G. Household determinants of biocontaminant exposures in Canadian homes. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e12933. [PMID: 34561903 PMCID: PMC9293439 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to biocontaminants, such as dust mites, animal dander, bacteria, and mold, is associated with a range of health effects. This study identified household characteristics associated with indoor biocontaminant loadings in four Canadian cities. Floor dust was collected in 290 Canadian homes in Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, and Windsor. The dust samples were analyzed for house dust mite allergens (Der f 1 and Der p 1), cat allergen (Fel d 1), cockroach allergen (Bla g 1), beta-(1,3)-D-glucan, and endotoxin. Household information was obtained through questionnaires and home inspections. We performed univariate and multivariate analyses to identify household determinants of biocontaminant loadings and mold odor presence. We observed large regional variations for all biocontaminants, except for cockroach allergen. The ranges of the contaminants measured in loadings and concentrations were similar to that of previous Canadian studies. Household characteristics including presence of carpeting, low floor cleaning frequency, older home age, presence of pets, and indoor relative humidity above 45% were positively associated with the presence of multiple indoor biocontaminants. High floor cleaning frequency and use of dehumidifiers were negatively associated with the presence of multiple indoor biocontaminants. Mold odor was positively associated with older home age, past water damage, and visible mold growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu Sun
- Air Health Effects Assessment Division, Water and Air Quality BureauHealth CanadaOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - J. David Miller
- Department of ChemistryCarleton UniversityOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - Keith Van Ryswyk
- Air Health Effects Assessment Division, Water and Air Quality BureauHealth CanadaOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - Amanda J. Wheeler
- Behaviour, Environment, and Cognition Research Program, Mary MacKillop Institute for Health ResearchAustralian Catholic UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Marie‐Eve Héroux
- Air Health Effects Assessment Division, Water and Air Quality BureauHealth CanadaOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - Mark S. Goldberg
- Department of MedicineMcGill UniversityMontrealQuébecCanada
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational HealthMcGill UniversityMontrealQuébecCanada
- Centre for Outcomes Research and EvaluationResearch Institute of the McGill University Hospital CentreMontrealQuébecCanada
| | - Gary Mallach
- Air Health Effects Assessment Division, Water and Air Quality BureauHealth CanadaOttawaOntarioCanada
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Sander I, Lotz A, Liebers V, Zahradnik E, Sauke-Gensow U, Petersen J, Raulf M. Comparing the concentration levels of allergens and endotoxins in employees' homes and offices. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2021; 95:573-588. [PMID: 34738178 PMCID: PMC8938351 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-021-01794-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Objective The aim of the study was to find out whether allergen and endotoxin concentrations in offices differ from those measured at the homes of employees, and identify the parameters that influence exposure. Methods Electrostatic dust collectors (EDCs) were placed in five office buildings (68 rooms, 436 EDCs), as well as the homes of the office workers (145 rooms, 405 EDCs) for 14 days, four times a year. In addition, surface samples were collected from the offices four times a year by vacuuming the carpeted floors. Domestic mite (DM), and the major cat and dog allergens (Fel d 1 and Can f 1) were quantified in all samples using fluorescence enzyme immunoassays. Endotoxin was measured in the EDC samples, using the Limulus amoebocyte lysate assay. The allergen and endotoxin concentrations were log transformed and analysed with multilevel models. Results Endotoxin concentrations were significantly higher in personal homes compared to levels measured in the offices, and depended on the number of persons living in each household, as well as the presence of a dog. DM allergens were significantly higher in households than in offices, and were significantly higher in bedrooms compared to living rooms. Offices occupied by cat owners had significantly higher Fel d 1 concentrations than offices or homes without. Additionally, Can f 1 concentrations were significantly higher in offices occupied by dog owners compared to those without. Conclusions Pet owners appear to transfer cat and dog allergens to their offices. Therefore, in case of allergy complaints at the office, employers and physicians might consider possible contamination by cat and dog allergens. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00420-021-01794-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Sander
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine, German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Anne Lotz
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine, German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany
| | - Verena Liebers
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine, German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany
| | - Eva Zahradnik
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine, German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany
| | - Ulrich Sauke-Gensow
- Verwaltungsberufsgenossenschaft (VBG), German Social Accident Insurance, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jens Petersen
- Verwaltungsberufsgenossenschaft (VBG), German Social Accident Insurance, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Monika Raulf
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine, German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany
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Paciência I, Cavaleiro Rufo J, Farraia M, Leal M, Moreira A. Exposure to indoor and airborne food allergens in commercial airplanes. Allergy 2021; 76:2295-2296. [PMID: 33715190 DOI: 10.1111/all.14813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Inês Paciência
- Serviço de Imunologia Básica e Clínica Departamento de Patologia Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto Porto Portugal
- EPIUnit ‐ Instituto de Saúde Pública Universidade do Porto Porto Portugal
| | - João Cavaleiro Rufo
- Serviço de Imunologia Básica e Clínica Departamento de Patologia Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto Porto Portugal
- EPIUnit ‐ Instituto de Saúde Pública Universidade do Porto Porto Portugal
| | - Mariana Farraia
- Serviço de Imunologia Básica e Clínica Departamento de Patologia Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto Porto Portugal
- EPIUnit ‐ Instituto de Saúde Pública Universidade do Porto Porto Portugal
| | - Mariana Leal
- Serviço de Imunologia Básica e Clínica Departamento de Patologia Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto Porto Portugal
| | - André Moreira
- Serviço de Imunologia Básica e Clínica Departamento de Patologia Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto Porto Portugal
- EPIUnit ‐ Instituto de Saúde Pública Universidade do Porto Porto Portugal
- Serviço de Imunoalergologia Centro Hospitalar São João Porto Portugal
- Faculdade de Ciências da Nutrição Alimentação da Universidade do Porto Porto Portugal
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Sensitization and exposure to triggers in the indoor environment, including aeroallergens, indoor air pollution, and environmental tobacco smoke, have a significant role in asthma development and morbidity. This review discusses indoor environmental exposures and their effect on children with asthma as well as environmental interventions and their role in improving asthma morbidity. RECENT FINDINGS Recent research has emphasized the role of aeroallergen sensitization and exposure in asthma morbidity and the importance of the school indoor environment. There is an established association between indoor exposures and asthma development and morbidity. Recent evidence has highlighted the importance of the indoor environment in childhood asthma, particularly the role of the school indoor environment. While home environmental interventions have had mixed results, interventions in the school environment have the potential to significantly impact the health of children, and ongoing research is needed to determine their effectiveness.
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Sookrung N, Jotikaprasardhna P, Bunnag C, Chaicumpa W, Tungtrongchitr A. Concordance of skin prick test and serum-specific IgE to locally produced component-resolved diagnostics for cockroach allergy. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2018; 122:93-98. [PMID: 30287255 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2018.09.463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Revised: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diagnosis of Periplaneta americana (American cockroach, ACR) allergy is commonly performed based on clinical history and skin prick test (SPT) or specific serum IgE (sIgE) measurement. The concordance of the findings with the SPT and sIgE results has never been investigated. OBJECTIVE To compare the results of SPT with commercial ACR-extract (C-ACE) and sIgE measurement, using commercial kit and in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to the locally produced ACR extract (L-ACE) and native Per a 1, Per a 5, Per a 7, and Per a 9. METHODS Sera from 66 individuals clinically diagnosed with chronic allergic rhinitis were included; 46 were positive SPT to C-ACE, and 20 were negative. Specific serum IgE levels were established by using a commercial test kit (ImmunoCap) and an in-house IgE-ELISA RESULTS: The percentage the C-ACE SPT-positive cases that were positive by the ImmunoCap-sIgE was 32.6%, indicating low concordance of the 2 assays. With the in-house ELISA, Per a 9 gave the highest sensitivity (98.00%), positive predictive value (PPV; 95.74%), and negative predictive value (NPV; 94.74%) of the sIgE quantification. The correlation coefficients (R) of the L-ACE-SPT and sIgE to L-ACE, Per a 1, Per a 5, Per a 7, and Per a 9 and ImmunoCap sIgE were 0.133, 0.278, 0.419, 0.280, and 0.432, and 0.256, respectively. CONCLUSION Skin prick test and sIgE measurement using commercial reagents have low concordance. Data of this study showed that sIgE to the native Per a 9 should be considered as an adjunct to the clinical history in diagnosis of ACR sensitization/allergy, particularly when the SPT and the nasal challenge, which is the gold standard method, cannot be performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitat Sookrung
- Biomedical Research Incubation Unit, Department of Research, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Center of Research Excellence on Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Chaweewan Bunnag
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Wanpen Chaicumpa
- Center of Research Excellence on Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Anchalee Tungtrongchitr
- Center of Research Excellence on Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
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8
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Sander I, Lotz A, Neumann HD, Czibor C, Flagge A, Zahradnik E, Raulf M. Indoor allergen levels in settled airborne dust are higher in day-care centers than at home. Allergy 2018; 73:1263-1275. [PMID: 29193190 DOI: 10.1111/all.13371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early-life sensitization to indoor allergens predicts asthma development. The aim of this study was to compare allergen concentrations in day-care centers (DCC) with those in private homes. METHODS Settled airborne dust was collected 4 times a year from 20 German DCC (620 samples) and from the homes of children and day-care workers (602 samples) using electrostatic dust collectors (EDC). The samples were analyzed with fluorescence enzyme immunoassays recognizing domestic mite allergens (DM), Fel d 1, Can f 1, and Mus m 1. Pet allergen thresholds that discriminate samples from homes with cats or dogs from those without were calculated using receiver-operating characteristics. Influences on allergen levels were analyzed using multilevel models. RESULTS Allergen loads were on average higher in DCC than in homes. In DCC, 96% of the samples were positive for DM, 95% for Can f 1, 90% for Fel d 1, and 83% for Mus m 1. In homes, 84% contained DM, 48.5% Can f 1, 33% Fel d 1, and 43% Mus m 1. The threshold level for homes with dogs was 75 ng/m² Can f 1 (96.8% sensitivity, 96% specificity), and the threshold level for homes with cats was 46 ng/m² Fel d 1 (92% sensitivity, 94.9% specificity). In DCC, Can f 1 and Fel d 1 loads were higher than these thresholds in 37% and 54% of the samples, respectively. Allergen levels were significantly influenced by the season and room type; however, carpets on floors had no influence. CONCLUSIONS Mite, mouse, cat, and dog allergens were mostly higher in DCC than in homes. Exposure to dog and cat allergens in DCC often reached levels of households with pets.
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Affiliation(s)
- I. Sander
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine German Social Accident Insurance Institute of the Ruhr‐Universität Bochum (IPA) Bochum Germany
| | - A. Lotz
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine German Social Accident Insurance Institute of the Ruhr‐Universität Bochum (IPA) Bochum Germany
| | - H. D. Neumann
- German Social Accident Insurance Institution for the public sector in North Rhine‐Westphalia Düsseldorf Germany
| | - C. Czibor
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine German Social Accident Insurance Institute of the Ruhr‐Universität Bochum (IPA) Bochum Germany
| | - A. Flagge
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine German Social Accident Insurance Institute of the Ruhr‐Universität Bochum (IPA) Bochum Germany
| | - E. Zahradnik
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine German Social Accident Insurance Institute of the Ruhr‐Universität Bochum (IPA) Bochum Germany
| | - M. Raulf
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine German Social Accident Insurance Institute of the Ruhr‐Universität Bochum (IPA) Bochum Germany
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Mueller GA. Contributions and Future Directions for Structural Biology in the Study of Allergens. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2017; 174:57-66. [PMID: 28992615 DOI: 10.1159/000481078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Allergy is defined as an inappropriate immune response to something normally considered harmless. The symptomatic immune response is driven by IgE antibodies directed against allergens. The study of allergens has contributed significantly to our understanding of allergic disease in 3 main areas. First, identifying allergens as the cause of symptoms and developing allergen standards has led to many advances in exposure assessment and patient diagnostics. Second, a biochemical understanding of allergens has suggested a number of hypotheses related to the mechanisms of allergic sensitization. And finally, studies of allergen-antibody interactions have contributed to understanding the cross-reactivity of allergens, mapping patient epitopes, and the development of hypoallergens. In this review, a few select cases are highlighted where structural biology, in particular, has contributed significantly to allergen research and provided new avenues for investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey A Mueller
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
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10
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Gold DR, Adamkiewicz G, Arshad SH, Celedón JC, Chapman MD, Chew GL, Cook DN, Custovic A, Gehring U, Gern JE, Johnson CC, Kennedy S, Koutrakis P, Leaderer B, Mitchell H, Litonjua AA, Mueller GA, O'Connor GT, Ownby D, Phipatanakul W, Persky V, Perzanowski MS, Ramsey CD, Salo PM, Schwaninger JM, Sordillo JE, Spira A, Suglia SF, Togias A, Zeldin DC, Matsui EC. NIAID, NIEHS, NHLBI, and MCAN Workshop Report: The indoor environment and childhood asthma-implications for home environmental intervention in asthma prevention and management. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2017; 140:933-949. [PMID: 28502823 PMCID: PMC5632590 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2017.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Accepted: 04/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Environmental exposures have been recognized as critical in the initiation and exacerbation of asthma, one of the most common chronic childhood diseases. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; and Merck Childhood Asthma Network sponsored a joint workshop to discuss the current state of science with respect to the indoor environment and its effects on the development and morbidity of childhood asthma. The workshop included US and international experts with backgrounds in allergy/allergens, immunology, asthma, environmental health, environmental exposures and pollutants, epidemiology, public health, and bioinformatics. Workshop participants provided new insights into the biologic properties of indoor exposures, indoor exposure assessment, and exposure reduction techniques. This informed a primary focus of the workshop: to critically review trials and research relevant to the prevention or control of asthma through environmental intervention. The participants identified important limitations and gaps in scientific methodologies and knowledge and proposed and prioritized areas for future research. The group reviewed socioeconomic and structural challenges to changing environmental exposure and offered recommendations for creative study design to overcome these challenges in trials to improve asthma management. The recommendations of this workshop can serve as guidance for future research in the study of the indoor environment and on environmental interventions as they pertain to the prevention and management of asthma and airway allergies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diane R Gold
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Mass; Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Mass.
| | - Gary Adamkiewicz
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Mass
| | - Syed Hasan Arshad
- David Hide Asthma and Allergy Research Centre, Isle of Wight, and Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Juan C Celedón
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa
| | | | - Ginger L Chew
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Environmental Health, Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects | Air Pollution and Respiratory Health Branch, Atlanta, Ga
| | - Donald N Cook
- Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC
| | - Adnan Custovic
- Section of Paediatrics and MRC and Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ulrike Gehring
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - James E Gern
- Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wis
| | - Christine C Johnson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Henry Ford Hospital & Health System, Detroit, Mich
| | - Suzanne Kennedy
- Department of Pediatrics, NC Children's Hospital, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Petros Koutrakis
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Mass
| | - Brian Leaderer
- Yale School of Public Health, Yale School of Medicine, Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Center for Perinatal, Pediatric and Environmental Epidemiology (CPPEE), New Haven, Conn
| | | | - Augusto A Litonjua
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | - Geoffrey A Mueller
- Genome Integrity and Structural Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC
| | - George T O'Connor
- Pulmonary Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass
| | - Dennis Ownby
- Division of Allergy-Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Augusta University, Augusta, Ga
| | - Wanda Phipatanakul
- Asthma, Allergy and Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - Victoria Persky
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Ill
| | - Matthew S Perzanowski
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Clare D Ramsey
- Departments of Medicine and Community Health Sciences, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Päivi M Salo
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC
| | - Julie M Schwaninger
- Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Md
| | - Joanne E Sordillo
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | - Avrum Spira
- Division of Computational Biomedicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass
| | - Shakira F Suglia
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Ga
| | - Alkis Togias
- Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Md
| | - Darryl C Zeldin
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC
| | - Elizabeth C Matsui
- Division of Pediatric Allergy/Immunology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md
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Casset A, Khayath N, de Blay F. How In Vitro Assays Contribute to Allergy Diagnosis. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2017; 16:82. [PMID: 27864812 DOI: 10.1007/s11882-016-0659-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Diagnosis of allergic disorders is based upon the clinical history of the disease, the immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody response, and the allergen exposure. During the last decade, many changes have occurred in the in vitro diagnostic tests used in daily practice. The most important one is the use of allergenic molecules, which helps to define severe profile of allergy and/or to better understand cross-reactivity. The correlation between IgE sensitization and bronchial or nasal response in provocation tests is not so clear, which implies that such tests are still helpful in allergy diagnosis. In order to strengthen the link between a real allergen exposure and allergic symptoms, environmental allergen load assessment can be performed. For clinicians, it appears obvious to know the pollen count to treat their patients; however, they rarely measure the allergen load in the indoor environment, while nowadays home-tests (semi-quantitative or quantitative) make the assessment very easy. In the future, assessment of the environmental exposure (preferably with an indoor technician) of an allergic patient should take into account not only the allergens but also the other indoor pollutants, which could enhance respiratory symptoms in allergic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Casset
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Conception and Application of Bioactive Molecules, CNRS, University of Strasbourg, BP 60024, 67401, Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Naji Khayath
- Chest Diseases Department, Strasbourg University Hospital; Federation of Translational Medicine, University of Strasbourg, BP 426, 67091, Strasbourg, France
| | - Frédéric de Blay
- Chest Diseases Department, Strasbourg University Hospital; Federation of Translational Medicine, University of Strasbourg, BP 426, 67091, Strasbourg, France.
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Gergen PJ, Mitchell HE, Calatroni A, Sever ML, Cohn RD, Salo PM, Thorne PS, Zeldin DC. Sensitization and Exposure to Pets: The Effect on Asthma Morbidity in the US Population. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY-IN PRACTICE 2017; 6:101-107.e2. [PMID: 28694047 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2017.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Revised: 05/18/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although pets are found in more than 50% of US homes, the effect of pet allergen exposure on asthma morbidity in the US population is not well documented. OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of dog and cat allergen exposures on asthma morbidity in the US population. METHODS The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey is a representative sample of civilian US population. Data on asthma, dog and cat allergen levels in bedroom dust, as well as specific IgE to dog and cat were analyzed for all participants 6 years or older. RESULTS Pets are common in the United States, with more that 50% of households having a dog or a cat or both. The prevalence of allergic sensitization in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey population was similar for dog and cat, with both being approximately 12%. Among those who were sensitized, exposure to elevated levels of pet allergens was associated with an increased prevalence of asthma and asthma attacks. Indeed, 44.2% of the asthma attacks were attributable to exposure to high levels of dog allergen in the bedroom among patients with asthma sensitive to dog and 30.3% were attributable to cat allergen exposure among the comparable cat-sensitive and exposed group. Projecting these results to the US population indicates more than 1 million increased asthma attacks each year for the dog-sensitive and exposed group and more than 500,000 increased asthma attacks for the cat-sensitive and exposed population of patients with asthma. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to elevated levels of dog and cat allergens among those sensitized individuals with asthma is associated with excess asthma attacks. Reducing pet allergen exposures has the potential for a significant decrease in asthma morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Gergen
- Division of Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md.
| | | | | | | | | | - Pӓivi M Salo
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC
| | - Peter S Thorne
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Darryl C Zeldin
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC
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13
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The purpose of this review is to evaluate the most recent findings on indoor allergens and their impact on allergic diseases. RECENT FINDINGS Indoor allergens are present inside buildings (home, work environment, school), and given the chronic nature of the exposures, indoor allergies tend to be associated with the development of asthma. The most common indoor allergens are derived from dust mites, cockroaches, mammals (including wild rodents and pets), and fungi. The advent of molecular biology and proteomics has led to the identification, cloning, and expression of new indoor allergens, which have facilitated research to elucidate their role in allergic diseases. This review is an update on new allergens and their molecular features, together with the most recent reports on their avoidance for allergy prevention and their use for diagnosis and treatment. Research progress on indoor allergens will result in the development of new diagnostic tools and design of coherent strategies for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Pomés
- Indoor Biotechnologies, Inc., 700 Harris Street, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA.
| | - Martin D Chapman
- Indoor Biotechnologies, Inc., 700 Harris Street, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Sabina Wünschmann
- Indoor Biotechnologies, Inc., 700 Harris Street, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
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Zimmer J, Vieths S, Kaul S. Standardization and Regulation of Allergen Products in the European Union. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2016; 16:21. [PMID: 26874849 DOI: 10.1007/s11882-016-0599-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Product-specific standardization is of prime importance to ensure persistent quality, safety, and efficacy of allergen products. The regulatory framework in the EU has induced great advancements in the field in the last years although national implementation still remains heterogeneous. Scores of methods for quantification of individual allergen molecules are developed each year and also the challenging characterization of chemically modified allergen products is progressing. However, despite the unquestionable increase in knowledge and the subsequent improvements in control of quality parameters of allergen products, an important aim has not been reached yet, namely cross-product comparability. Still, comparison of allergen product potency, either based on total allergenic activity or individual allergen molecule content, is not possible due to a lack of standard reference preparations in conjunction with validated standard methods. This review aims at presenting the most recent developments in product-specific standardization as well as activities to facilitate cross-product comparability in the EU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Zimmer
- Division of Allergology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 51-59, 63225, Langen, Germany.
| | - Stefan Vieths
- Division of Allergology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 51-59, 63225, Langen, Germany.
| | - Susanne Kaul
- Division of Allergology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 51-59, 63225, Langen, Germany.
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15
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Pomés A, Chapman MD, Wünschmann S. Indoor Allergens and Allergic Respiratory Disease. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2016. [PMID: 27184001 DOI: 10.1007/s11882-016-0622-9.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The purpose of this review is to evaluate the most recent findings on indoor allergens and their impact on allergic diseases. RECENT FINDINGS Indoor allergens are present inside buildings (home, work environment, school), and given the chronic nature of the exposures, indoor allergies tend to be associated with the development of asthma. The most common indoor allergens are derived from dust mites, cockroaches, mammals (including wild rodents and pets), and fungi. The advent of molecular biology and proteomics has led to the identification, cloning, and expression of new indoor allergens, which have facilitated research to elucidate their role in allergic diseases. This review is an update on new allergens and their molecular features, together with the most recent reports on their avoidance for allergy prevention and their use for diagnosis and treatment. Research progress on indoor allergens will result in the development of new diagnostic tools and design of coherent strategies for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Pomés
- Indoor Biotechnologies, Inc., 700 Harris Street, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA.
| | - Martin D Chapman
- Indoor Biotechnologies, Inc., 700 Harris Street, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Sabina Wünschmann
- Indoor Biotechnologies, Inc., 700 Harris Street, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
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16
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DiMango E, Serebrisky D, Narula S, Shim C, Keating C, Sheares B, Perzanowski M, Miller R, DiMango A, Andrews H, Merle D, Liu X, Calatroni A, Kattan M. Individualized Household Allergen Intervention Lowers Allergen Level But Not Asthma Medication Use: A Randomized Controlled Trial. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY-IN PRACTICE 2016; 4:671-679.e4. [PMID: 27025297 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2016.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2015] [Revised: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Environmental exposures to indoor allergens are major contributors to asthma symptoms, particularly in inner cities. The effectiveness of household allergen reduction as an adjunct to National Asthma Education Prevention Program guideline-based pharmacologic therapy in asthma has not been prospectively studied. OBJECTIVE To study the effect of individualized allergen reduction on ability to reduce asthma pharmacologic therapy over 40 weeks. METHODS We performed a randomized controlled trial to determine the effect of multifaceted indoor allergen avoidance measures on the ability to reduce asthma controller therapy in adults and children residing in New York City who were both sensitized and exposed to at least 1 indoor allergen. Asthma treatment and control were optimized in all subjects before randomization. RESULTS A total of 125 subjects were randomized to receive individualized household allergen reduction and 122 received a sham intervention. Subjects in the intervention group significantly reduced all measured allergen levels (cat, dog, dust mite allergens in the bedroom, cockroach and mouse allergens in the kitchen and bedroom); those in the control group reduced only dust mite and mouse allergens in the bedroom and cockroach allergen in the kitchen. Participants in the intervention arm reduced National Asthma Education Prevention Program-based therapy from step 4.4 at randomization to 3.50 postintervention (range, 0-6); participants in the control arm reduced medication from step 4.4 to 3.4 (P = .76). There were no differences in other measured asthma outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Targeted allergen avoidance measures do not allow for reduction in asthma pharmacologic therapy compared with usual care in patients already receiving optimal controller therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Denise Serebrisky
- Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, NY
| | | | - Chang Shim
- Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, NY
| | | | | | - Matthew Perzanowski
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | | | | | - Howard Andrews
- Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - David Merle
- Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Xinhua Liu
- Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | | | - Meyer Kattan
- Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
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17
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Sander I, Neumann HD, Lotz A, Czibor C, Zahradnik E, Flagge A, Faller I, Buxtrup M, Brüning T, Raulf M. Allergen quantification in surface dust samples from German day care centers. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2016; 79:1094-1105. [PMID: 27924716 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2016.1219597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Indoor allergens are among the main causes of allergic rhinitis and asthma. Allergen exposure is not limited to private homes. Mite, cat, and dog allergens were measured in day care centers to determine whether these concentrations detected might exert significant influence on human health. In 20 day care centers across North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, the surfaces of 171 rooms were vacuumed 4 times a year to collect dust (1340 samples in total). In all samples, domestic mite antigens (DM) and the main allergens of cats (Fel d 1) and dogs (Can f 1) were quantified using enzyme immunoassays. Provisional threshold limits (PTL) for increased risks of sensitization and allergic symptoms were estimated according to published values and conversion factors. The influence of room characteristics on allergen concentrations was analyzed in mixed linear models, also considering values below the limit of detection (LOD). Nearly all samples contained allergens (99% DM, 96% Fel d 1, and 96% Can f 1). The concentrations rarely exceeded levels that were previously found to induce symptoms in home environments, but were frequently higher than estimates for enhanced sensitization risk (13% DM, 43% Fel d 1, and 27% Can f 1). Upholstered furnishings had the highest dust and allergen loads, followed by carpets and smooth floors. Allergen concentrations on different surface types that were sampled in the same room at the same time were significantly correlated and analyzed in separate models. The highest DM concentrations were present in bedrooms and in autumn. Further, DM loads on floors decreased significantly in rooms that were renovated within the last 5 years. If there were no records that furnishings were vacuumed, there were then significantly higher Can f 1 loads. Sweeping floors elevated DM and cat allergen concentrations. In addition to mite allergens, cat and dog allergens were detected in nearly all samples from day care centers. Overall, the present results indicate that allergen concentrations may be reduced by renovation and appropriate cleaning procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Sander
- a Institut für Prävention und Arbeitsmedizin der Deutschen Gesetzlichen Unfallversicherung , Institut der Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA) , Bochum , Germany
| | | | - Anne Lotz
- a Institut für Prävention und Arbeitsmedizin der Deutschen Gesetzlichen Unfallversicherung , Institut der Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA) , Bochum , Germany
| | - Christina Czibor
- a Institut für Prävention und Arbeitsmedizin der Deutschen Gesetzlichen Unfallversicherung , Institut der Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA) , Bochum , Germany
| | - Eva Zahradnik
- a Institut für Prävention und Arbeitsmedizin der Deutschen Gesetzlichen Unfallversicherung , Institut der Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA) , Bochum , Germany
| | - Angelika Flagge
- a Institut für Prävention und Arbeitsmedizin der Deutschen Gesetzlichen Unfallversicherung , Institut der Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA) , Bochum , Germany
| | - Inga Faller
- a Institut für Prävention und Arbeitsmedizin der Deutschen Gesetzlichen Unfallversicherung , Institut der Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA) , Bochum , Germany
| | - Martin Buxtrup
- b Unfallkasse Nordrhein-Westfalen , Düsseldorf , Germany
| | - Thomas Brüning
- a Institut für Prävention und Arbeitsmedizin der Deutschen Gesetzlichen Unfallversicherung , Institut der Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA) , Bochum , Germany
| | - Monika Raulf
- a Institut für Prävention und Arbeitsmedizin der Deutschen Gesetzlichen Unfallversicherung , Institut der Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA) , Bochum , Germany
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18
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Bouaziz A, Walgraffe D, Bouillot C, Herman J, Foguenne J, Gothot A, Louis R, Hentges F, Jacquet A, Mailleux AC, Chevigné A, Galleni M, Adam E, Dumez ME. Development of recombinant stable house dust mite allergen Der p 3 molecules for component-resolved diagnosis and specific immunotherapy. Clin Exp Allergy 2015; 45:823-34. [PMID: 25406386 DOI: 10.1111/cea.12452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2014] [Revised: 07/30/2014] [Accepted: 09/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The allergen Der p 3 is underrepresented in house dust mite (HDM) extracts probably due to autolysis. Recombinant stable molecule of the allergen is thus needed to improve the diagnosis of allergy and the safety and efficacy of immunotherapy. OBJECTIVE The current study reports the immunological characterization of two recombinant molecules of the HDM allergen Der p 3 as useful tools for diagnosis and immunotherapy. METHODS Recombinant mature (rDer p 3) and immature (proDer p 3) Der p 3 and their corresponding S196A mutants were produced in Pichia pastoris and purified. The stability, IgE-binding capacity and allergenicity of the different proteins were analysed and compared with those of the major mite allergen Der p 1 used as a reference. Additionally, the immunogenicity of the different allergens was evaluated in a murine model of Der p 3 sensitization. RESULTS Compared to the IgE reactivity to recombinant and natural Der p 3 (nDer p 3), the mean IgE binding of patient's sera to rDer p 3-S196A (50%) was higher. The poorly binding to nDer p 3 or rDer p 3 was due to autolysis of the allergen. Contrary to Der p 3, proDer p 3 displayed very weak IgE reactivity, as measured by sandwich ELISA and competitive inhibition, rat basophil leukaemia degranulation and human basophil activation assays. Moreover, proDer p 3 induced a TH 1-biased immune response that prevented allergic response in mice but retained Der p 3-specific T-cell reactivity. CONCLUSION rDer p 3-S196A should be used for the diagnosis of HDM allergy elicited by Der p 3, and proDer p 3 may represent a hypoallergen of Der p 3.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Bouaziz
- Macromolécules Biologiques, Centre d'ingénierie des Protéines, Université de Liège, Liège, Belgium
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19
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Nevskaya LV, Radunskaya SF, Lavrenchik EI, Kapitanova VK, Korotkova MY. Development and Evaluation of Standards for Assessing the Biological Activity of Allergens. Pharm Chem J 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s11094-015-1325-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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20
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Winn AK, Salo PM, Klein C, Sever ML, Harris SF, Johndrow D, Crockett PW, Cohn RD, Zeldin DC. Efficacy of an in-home test kit in reducing dust mite allergen levels: results of a randomized controlled pilot study. J Asthma 2015; 53:133-8. [PMID: 26308287 DOI: 10.3109/02770903.2015.1072721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dust mite allergens can induce allergic sensitization and exacerbate asthma symptoms. Although dust mite reduction and control strategies exist, few asthmatics employ them. OBJECTIVES We examined whether an in-home test kit, which quantifies dust mite allergen levels, resulted in behavioral changes in implementation and maintenance of mite reduction strategies and helped reduce allergen levels in homes of dust mite-sensitive children. METHODS We enrolled 60 households of children aged 5-15 with parent-reported dust mite allergy into a randomized controlled trial. Intervention homes (N = 30) received educational material about reducing dust mites and test kits at 1, 2, 5 and 8 months. Control homes (N = 30) received only educational material. At baseline, 6 and 12 months, study staff visited all homes, collected dust samples from three locations and obtained information about parents' mite reduction behaviors by questionnaire. Allergen concentrations (Der f 2/Der p2) in dust were assessed by immunoassays. After adjusting for visit and location, allergen concentrations in intervention and control homes were compared using mixed effects model analysis. RESULTS In the intervention homes, allergen concentrations in the child's bedroom and living room floors were significantly reduced over time compared to control homes. Although not all location-specific differences in allergen concentrations were statistically significant, combining data across locations, there was a differential reduction in allergen concentrations in the intervention group versus the control group (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION The use of in-home test kits along with education may beneficially influence behaviors and attitudes toward dust mite reduction strategies and help reduce residential dust mite allergen levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber K Winn
- a Division of Intramural Research , National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health , Research Triangle Park , NC , USA
| | - Päivi M Salo
- a Division of Intramural Research , National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health , Research Triangle Park , NC , USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Darryl C Zeldin
- a Division of Intramural Research , National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health , Research Triangle Park , NC , USA
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21
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Pomés A, Chruszcz M, Gustchina A, Wlodawer A. Interfaces between allergen structure and diagnosis: know your epitopes. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2015; 15:506. [PMID: 25750181 DOI: 10.1007/s11882-014-0506-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Allergy diagnosis is based on the patient's clinical history and can be strengthened by tests that confirm the origin of sensitization. In the past 25 years, these tests have evolved from the exclusive in vivo or in vitro use of allergen extracts, to complementary molecular-based diagnostics that rely on in vitro measurements of IgE reactivity to individual allergens. For this to occur, an increase in our understanding of the molecular structure of allergens, largely due to the development of technologies such as molecular cloning and expression of recombinant allergens, X-ray crystallography, or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), has been essential. New in vitro microarray or multiplex systems are now available to measure IgE against a selected panel of purified natural or recombinant allergens. The determination of the three-dimensional structure of allergens has facilitated detailed molecular studies, including the analysis of antigenic determinants for diagnostic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Pomés
- Basic Research, Indoor Biotechnologies, Inc., 1216 Harris Street, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA,
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22
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Zheng L, Fu Y, Jiang X, Man S, Ran W, Feng M, Liu S, Cheng X, Sui G. Microfluidic system for high-throughput immunoglobulin-E analysis from clinical serum samples. Talanta 2015; 143:83-89. [PMID: 26078132 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2015.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2015] [Revised: 05/03/2015] [Accepted: 05/06/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Rapid and high-throughput analytical techniques for IgE that requires a small serum amount are very important, especially for pediatric patients. In these patients, blood is collected from veins, which is painful compared to fingertip blood collection. Herein, a novel microfluidic system capable of high-throughput parallel analyses of allergen-specific IgE from small amounts of patient serum was successfully developed. A six-plex immunoassay was constructed within a microfluidic chip, and the entire system was validated using samples from clinical patients. Major antigens from house dust mite (Dermatophagoides farinae and Blomia tropicalis), cat (Felis domesticus), fungus (Cladosporium herbarum), ragweed (Humulus japonicas), and tree pollen (Platanus acerifolia) were used as analysis targets. Sample consumption decreased to <0.05 µL compared with the 480µL serum consumption by fluoroenzyme immunoassay (UniCAP system Pharmacia Diagnostics AB, Uppsala, Sweden), the 50 µL serum consumption by enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA), or the 1.5 µL serum consumption by conventional protein chip analysis. Analysis duration, reagent cost, and total cost for each measurement were also considerably decreased. The assay showed good accuracy and sensitivity toward the clinical samples. A significant correlation of allergen-specific IgE levels was found among the microfluidic assay, UniCAP system, and ELISA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Zheng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution Prevention (LAP3), Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai 200433, PR China
| | - Yongfeng Fu
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, PR China
| | - Xiran Jiang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution Prevention (LAP3), Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai 200433, PR China
| | - Suqin Man
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, PR China
| | - Wei Ran
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, PR China
| | - Meng Feng
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, PR China
| | - Sixiu Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution Prevention (LAP3), Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai 200433, PR China
| | - Xunjia Cheng
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, PR China; Institute of Biomedical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, PR China.
| | - Guodong Sui
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution Prevention (LAP3), Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai 200433, PR China; Institute of Biomedical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, PR China.
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23
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Takai T, Okamoto Y, Okubo K, Nagata M, Sakaguchi M, Fukutomi Y, Saito A, Yasueda H, Masuyama K. Japanese Society of Allergology task force report on standardization of house dust mite allergen vaccines - secondary publication. Allergol Int 2015; 64:181-6. [PMID: 25838095 DOI: 10.1016/j.alit.2015.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2014] [Revised: 12/21/2014] [Accepted: 01/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the 1990s, the Japanese Society of Allergology (JSA) standardized Japanese cedar pollen allergen vaccines. In the present study, the task force for house dust mite (HDM) allergen standardization of the Committee for Allergens and Immunotherapy of JSA reports the standardization of HDM allergen vaccines in Japan. METHODS In vivo allergenic potency was determined by intradermal testing of 51 Japanese adults with positive serum specific IgE to HDM allergens. In vitro total IgE binding potency was analyzed by competition ELISA using a pooled serum, with sera obtained from 10 allergic patients. The amounts of HDM group 1 (Der 1) and group 2 major allergens in eight HDM allergen extracts were measured by sandwich ELISAs. Correlation between the in vitro total IgE binding potency and major allergen levels was analyzed. RESULTS We selected a JSA reference HDM extract and determined its in vivo allergenic potency. The in vitro total IgE binding potency significantly correlated with Der 1 content, group 2 allergen content, and their combined amount, indicating that measurement of major allergen contents can be used as a surrogate in vitro assay. CONCLUSIONS The task force determined the in vivo allergenic potency (100,000 JAU/ml) and Der 1 content (38.5 μg/ml) of the JSA reference HDM extract, selected the measurement of Der 1 content as the surrogate in vitro assay, and decided that manufacturers can label a HDM allergen extract as having a titer of 100,000 JAU/ml if it contains 22.2-66.7 μg/ml of Der 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiro Takai
- Task Force for House Dust Mite Allergen Standardization of the Committee for Allergens and Immunotherapy of the Japanese Society of Allergology, Tokyo, Japan; Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Okamoto
- Task Force for House Dust Mite Allergen Standardization of the Committee for Allergens and Immunotherapy of the Japanese Society of Allergology, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kimihiro Okubo
- Task Force for House Dust Mite Allergen Standardization of the Committee for Allergens and Immunotherapy of the Japanese Society of Allergology, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Head and Neck Sensory Organ Science (Otolaryngology), Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makoto Nagata
- Task Force for House Dust Mite Allergen Standardization of the Committee for Allergens and Immunotherapy of the Japanese Society of Allergology, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Respiratory Medicine, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan; Allergy Center, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Masahiro Sakaguchi
- Task Force for House Dust Mite Allergen Standardization of the Committee for Allergens and Immunotherapy of the Japanese Society of Allergology, Tokyo, Japan; Laboratory of Microbiology I, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yuma Fukutomi
- Task Force for House Dust Mite Allergen Standardization of the Committee for Allergens and Immunotherapy of the Japanese Society of Allergology, Tokyo, Japan; Clinical Research Center for Allergy and Rheumatology, Sagamihara National Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Akemi Saito
- Clinical Research Center for Allergy and Rheumatology, Sagamihara National Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Yasueda
- Task Force for House Dust Mite Allergen Standardization of the Committee for Allergens and Immunotherapy of the Japanese Society of Allergology, Tokyo, Japan; Clinical Research Center for Allergy and Rheumatology, Sagamihara National Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Keisuke Masuyama
- Task Force for House Dust Mite Allergen Standardization of the Committee for Allergens and Immunotherapy of the Japanese Society of Allergology, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan.
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Raulf M, Buters J, Chapman M, Cecchi L, de Blay F, Doekes G, Eduard W, Heederik D, Jeebhay MF, Kespohl S, Krop E, Moscato G, Pala G, Quirce S, Sander I, Schlünssen V, Sigsgaard T, Walusiak-Skorupa J, Wiszniewska M, Wouters IM, Annesi-Maesano I. Monitoring of occupational and environmental aeroallergens-- EAACI Position Paper. Concerted action of the EAACI IG Occupational Allergy and Aerobiology & Air Pollution. Allergy 2014; 69:1280-99. [PMID: 24894737 DOI: 10.1111/all.12456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to high molecular weight sensitizers of biological origin is an important risk factor for the development of asthma and rhinitis. Most of the causal allergens have been defined based on their reactivity with IgE antibodies, and in many cases, the molecular structure and function of the allergens have been established. Significant information on allergen levels that cause sensitization and allergic symptoms for several major environmental and occupational allergens has been reported. Monitoring of high molecular weight allergens and allergen carrier particles is an important part of the management of allergic respiratory diseases and requires standardized allergen assessment methods for occupational and environmental (indoor and outdoor) allergen exposure. The aim of this EAACI task force was to review the essential points for monitoring environmental and occupational allergen exposure including sampling strategies and methods, processing of dust samples, allergen analysis, and quantification. The paper includes a summary of different methods for sampling and allergen quantification, as well as their pros and cons for various exposure settings. Recommendations are being made for different exposure scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Raulf
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance; Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA); Bochum Germany
| | - J. Buters
- ZAUM- Center of Allergy & Environment; Helmholtz Zentrum München/Technical Universität München; Christine Kühne Center for Allergy Research and Education (CK-CARE); Member of the German Center of Lung Research (DZL); Munich Germany
| | | | - L. Cecchi
- Interdepartmental Centre of Bioclimatology; University of Florence; Allergy and Clinical Immunology Section; Azienda Sanitaria di Prato; Prato Italy
| | - F. de Blay
- Department of Chest Diseases; University Hospital Strasbourg; Strasbourg France
| | - G. Doekes
- Division of Environmental Epidemiology; Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS); Utrecht University; Utrecht the Netherlands
| | - W. Eduard
- Department of Chemical and Biological Work Environment/National Institute of Occupational Health; Institute of Medical Biology; University in Tromsø; Tromsø Norway
| | - D. Heederik
- Division of Environmental Epidemiology; Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS); Utrecht University; Utrecht the Netherlands
| | - M. F. Jeebhay
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health Research; School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town; Cape Town South Africa
| | - S. Kespohl
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance; Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA); Bochum Germany
| | - E. Krop
- Division of Environmental Epidemiology; Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS); Utrecht University; Utrecht the Netherlands
| | - G. Moscato
- Department of Public Health; Experimental and Forensic Medicine of the University of Pavia; Pavia Italy
| | - G. Pala
- Occupational Physician's Division; Local Health Authority of Sassari; Sassari Italy
| | - S. Quirce
- Department of Allergy; Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ) and CIBER of Respiratory Diseases CIBERES; Madrid Spain
| | - I. Sander
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance; Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA); Bochum Germany
| | - V. Schlünssen
- Department of Public Health; Section for Environment; Occupation and Health; Aarhus University; Aarhus Denmark
| | - T. Sigsgaard
- Department of Public Health; Section for Environment; Occupation and Health; Aarhus University; Aarhus Denmark
| | | | | | - I. M. Wouters
- Division of Environmental Epidemiology; Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS); Utrecht University; Utrecht the Netherlands
| | - I. Annesi-Maesano
- INSERM; Equipe Epidémiologie des allergies et des maladies respiratorires UMR-S 707; Paris France
- EPAR; Faculté de Médecine Saint-Antoine; UPMC; Paris France
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Sercombe JK, Liu-Brennan D, McKay KO, Green BJ, Tovey ER. Domestic exposure to fungal allergenic particles determined by halogen immunoassay using subject's serum versus particles carrying three non-fungal allergens determined by allergen-specific HIA. INDOOR AIR 2014; 24:438-445. [PMID: 24354925 PMCID: PMC4678322 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2013] [Accepted: 12/13/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Studies that estimate indoor aeroallergen exposure typically measure a pre-selected limited range of allergens. In this study, inhalable aeroallergen particles were quantified using the halogen immunoassay (HIA) to determine the contribution of fungal and non-fungal aeroallergens to total allergen exposure. Bioaerosols from 39 homes of fungal-allergic subjects were sampled using inhalable fraction samplers and immunostained by HIA using resident subject's immunoglobulin E (IgE) to detect allergen-laden particles. Fungal aerosols as well as particles carrying mite, cat, and cockroach allergens were identified and enumerated by HIA. Reservoir dust-mite (Der p 1), cat (Fel d 1), and cockroach (Bla g 1) allergen concentrations were quantified by ELISA. Fungal particles that bound subject's IgE in the HIA were 1.7 (bedroom)- and 1.4 (living room)-fold more concentrated than Der p 1, Fel d 1, and Bla g 1 allergen particles combined. Predominant fungal conidia that bound IgE were derived from common environmental genera including Cladosporium and other fungi that produce amerospores. Airborne mite, cat, and cockroach allergen particle counts were not associated with reservoir concentrations determined by ELISA. This study demonstrates that inhalable fungal aerosols are the predominant aeroallergen sources in Sydney homes and should be considered in future exposure assessments. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS Indoor allergen exposure assessment studies have primarily focused on a limited range of allergen sources in samples derived from reservoir dust samples. Using an innovative immunodiagnostic approach, this study demonstrates that fungal bioaerosols are the dominant source of aeroallergen exposure in the domestic environment, providing unique insight into domestic aeroallergen exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. K. Sercombe
- Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - D. Liu-Brennan
- Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - K. O. McKay
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, Australia
- School of Paediatrics and Child Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - B. J. Green
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - E. R. Tovey
- Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Portnoy J, Miller JD, Williams PB, Chew GL, Miller JD, Zaitoun F, Phipatanakul W, Kennedy K, Barnes C, Grimes C, Larenas-Linnemann D, Sublett J, Bernstein D, Blessing-Moore J, Khan D, Lang D, Nicklas R, Oppenheimer J, Randolph C, Schuller D, Spector S, Tilles SA, Wallace D. Environmental assessment and exposure control of dust mites: a practice parameter. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2013; 111:465-507. [PMID: 24267359 PMCID: PMC5156485 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2013.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2013] [Accepted: 09/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Portnoy J, Chew GL, Phipatanakul W, Williams PB, Grimes C, Kennedy K, Matsui EC, Miller JD, Bernstein D, Blessing-Moore J, Cox L, Khan D, Lang D, Nicklas R, Oppenheimer J, Randolph C, Schuller D, Spector S, Tilles SA, Wallace D, Seltzer J, Sublett J. Environmental assessment and exposure reduction of cockroaches: a practice parameter. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2013; 132:802-8.e1-25. [PMID: 23938214 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2013.04.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2013] [Revised: 03/27/2013] [Accepted: 04/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
This parameter was developed by the Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters, representing the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI); the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI); and the Joint Council of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. The AAAAI and the ACAAI have jointly accepted responsibility for establishing "Environmental assessment and remediation: a practice parameter." This is a complete and comprehensive document at the current time. The medical environment is a changing environment, and not all recommendations will be appropriate for all patients. Because this document incorporated the efforts of many participants, no single person, including those who served on the Joint Task Force, is authorized to provide an official AAAAI or ACAAI interpretation of these practice parameters. Any request for information about or an interpretation of these practice parameters by the AAAAI or ACAAI should be directed to the Executive Offices of the AAAAI, the ACAAI, and the Joint Council of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. These parameters are not designed for use by pharmaceutical companies in drug promotion. The findings and conclusions in this manuscript are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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Merritt AS, Andersson N, Almqvist C. Cat and house dust mite allergen content is stable in frozen dust over time. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2013; 47:3796-3799. [PMID: 23495760 DOI: 10.1021/es3052153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dust from indoor environments consists of animal allergens, pollen, endotoxins, and other substances which may exacerbate symptoms in sensitive individuals. In prospective cohort studies, dust is often collected from indoor environments in order to assess allergen exposure and possible relationships to health outcomes. Typically, large numbers of samples are collected and kept frozen until further analysis, sometimes several years later. To date, there is insufficient knowledge about what happens to the dust and its contents during storage. OBJECTIVES In the present study, our aim was to analyze allergen content over a 30 month period frozen dust collected from beds in homes in order to simulate a study design of exposure assessment commonly used in epidemiological studies. METHODS Thirty-seven dust samples from mattresses in homes were collected using a Duststream dust collector. Each dust sample was subdivided into six aliquots. One tube (baseline) was extracted and analyzed for cat and house dust mite (HDM) allergen content using ELISA, all other tubes were stored at -80 °C until further handling. Approximately every six months (6, 12, 18, and 30 months), dust from one tube was thawed, extracted and analyzed the same way. Data was log-transformed and analyzed using linear regression. RESULTS No trend for decreasing or increasing cat (p = 0.606) or HDM (p = 0.928) allergen levels could be observed over time. Levels of cat allergen were considerably higher in mattresses from homes with cats compared to homes without cats (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION It is important to assess the allergen stability in dust before designing costly and labor-intensive studies of allergen exposure and health outcomes, commonly used in environmental epidemiology. Although the present study showed that cat and HDM allergens remained stable in dust stored at -80 °C during a 2.5 year period, analyses of other allergens or substances in frozen dust and evaluating the effect of longer storage times is desirable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Sophie Merritt
- Karolinska Institutet, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Chapman MD, Briza P. Molecular approaches to allergen standardization. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2013; 12:478-84. [PMID: 22740009 DOI: 10.1007/s11882-012-0282-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Molecular approaches to allergen standardization include the development of purified natural or recombinant allergen standards whose structural and allergenic properties have been validated, in tandem with certified immunoassays for allergen measurement. Purified allergens can be used individually or incorporated into multiple allergen standards. Multicenter international collaborative studies are required to validate candidate allergen standards and immunoassays, as a prelude to being approved by regulatory agencies. Mass spectrometry is a sophisticated and powerful proteomics tool that is being developed for allergen analysis. Recent results using pollen allergens show that mass spectrometry can identify and measure specific allergens in a complex mixture and can provide precise information of the variability of natural allergen extracts. In future, the combined use of immunoassays and mass spectrometry will provide complete standardization of allergenic products. Molecular standardization will form the basis of new allergy diagnostics and therapeutics, as well as assessment of environmental exposure, and will improve the quality of treatment options for allergic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin D Chapman
- Indoor Biotechnologies Inc, 1216 Harris Street, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA.
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Abstract
In the past, cockroach allergen exposure assessment mainly focused on settled dust in homes in low-income urban cities in the United States. That choice was not wrong; without measureable levels of cockroach allergen, it is difficult to show associations with any home characteristics, much less with health outcomes (e.g., allergy, asthma). However, recent studies in other suburban areas, schools, and other countries have elucidated the importance of cockroach allergen in these environments too. In addition, characterizing the underlying factors that give rise to cockroach allergen exposure (or protect against it) can lead to more targeted public health interventions. This review discusses different approaches to sampling indoor environments, interprets recent asthma and allergy studies, compares cockroach allergen levels from past studies with those of recent studies, and describes strategies for decreasing exposures.
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Early-life cockroach allergen and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposures predict cockroach sensitization among inner-city children. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2013; 131:886-93. [PMID: 23391330 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2012.12.666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2012] [Revised: 11/16/2012] [Accepted: 12/04/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sensitization to cockroach is one of the strongest identified risk factors for greater asthma morbidity in low-income urban communities; however, the timing of exposures relevant to the development of sensitization has not been elucidated fully. Furthermore, exposure to combustion byproducts, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), can augment the development of allergic sensitization. OBJECTIVE We sought to test the hypotheses that domestic cockroach allergen measured prenatally would predict cockroach sensitization in early childhood and that this association would be greater for children exposed to higher PAH concentrations. METHODS Dominican and African American pregnant women living in New York City were enrolled. In the third trimester expectant mothers wore personal air samplers for measurement of 8 nonvolatile PAHs and the semivolatile PAH pyrene, and dust was collected from homes for allergen measurement. Glutathione-S-transferase μ 1 (GSTM1) gene polymorphisms were measured in children. Allergen-specific IgE levels were measured from the children at ages 2, 3, 5, and 7 years. RESULTS Bla g 2 in prenatal kitchen dust predicted cockroach sensitization at the ages of 5 to 7 years (adjusted relative risk [RR], 1.15; P = .001; n = 349). The association was observed only among children with greater than (RR, 1.22; P = .001) but not less than (RR, 1.07; P = .24) the median sum of 8 nonvolatile PAH levels. The association was most pronounced among children with higher PAH levels and null for the GSTM1 gene (RR, 1.54; P = .001). CONCLUSIONS Prenatal exposure to cockroach allergen was associated with a greater risk of allergic sensitization. This risk was increased by exposure to nonvolatile PAHs, with children null for the GSTM1 mutation particularly vulnerable.
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King EM, Filep S, Smith B, Platts-Mills T, Hamilton RG, Schmechel D, Sordillo JE, Milton D, van Ree R, Krop EJM, Heederik DJJ, Metwali N, Thorne PS, Zeldin DC, Sever ML, Calatroni A, Arbes SJ, Mitchell HE, Chapman MD. A multi-center ring trial of allergen analysis using fluorescent multiplex array technology. J Immunol Methods 2013; 387:89-95. [PMID: 23085532 PMCID: PMC3955085 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2012.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2012] [Revised: 09/07/2012] [Accepted: 09/10/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Consistent performance of allergen assays is essential to ensure reproducibility of exposure assessments for investigations of asthma and occupational allergic disease. This study evaluated intra- and inter-laboratory reproducibility of a fluorescent multiplex array, which simultaneously measures eight indoor allergens in a single reaction well. METHODS A multi-center study was performed in nine laboratories in the US and Europe to determine the inter-laboratory variability of an 8-plex array for dust mite, cat, dog, rat, mouse and cockroach allergens. Aliquots of 151 dust extract samples were sent to participating centers and analyzed by each laboratory on three separate occasions. Agreement within and between laboratories was calculated by the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC). RESULTS Results were obtained for over 32,000 individual allergen measurements. Levels covered a wide range for all allergens from below the lower limit of detection (LLOD = 0.1-9.8 ng/ml) to higher than 6800 ng/ml for all allergens except Mus m 1, which was up to 1700 ng/ml. Results were reproducible within as well as between laboratories. Within laboratories, 94% of CCC were ≥ 0.90, and 80% of intra-laboratory results fell within a 10% coefficient of variance (CV%). Results between laboratories also showed highly significant positive correlations for all allergens (~0.95, p<0.001). Overall means of results were comparable, and inter-laboratory CV% for all allergens except Rat n 1 ranged between 17.6% and 26.6%. CONCLUSION The data indicate that performance criteria for fluorescent multiplex array technology are reproducible within and between laboratories. Multiplex technology provides standardized and consistent allergen measurements that will streamline environmental exposure assessments in allergic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva M King
- INDOOR Biotechnologies Inc, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA.
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Can f 1 levels in hair and homes of different dog breeds: Lack of evidence to describe any dog breed as hypoallergenic. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2012; 130:904-9.e7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2012.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2011] [Revised: 05/07/2012] [Accepted: 05/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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