Cat (Fel dI), dog (Can fI), and cockroach allergens in homes of asthmatic children from three climatic zones in Sweden

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
We have investigated the levels of cat (Fel dI), dog (Can fI), and cockroach (Per aI) allergens in dust from bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms from 123 homes of asthmatic children in three zones of Sweden with varying climates. Absolute indoor humidity (AIH), relative humidity (RH), rate of ventilation in air changes per hour (ach), and number of airborne particles were also measured.Fel dI,Can fI, andPer aI allergen contents were determined by mab ELISA, and the levels were related to various environmental factors. The major cat allergen.Fel dI, was detected in all homes, and the concentrations varied between 16 ng and 28000 ng/g fine dust. The dog allergen,Can fI, was detected in 85% of the homes, and the levels varied from 60 ng to 866000 ng/g dust. Cockroach allergen was detected in only one home (40 ng/g).Fel dI andCan fI allergens were equally distributed geographically. Dust from living rooms contained significantly higher (P< 0.05) concentrations of bothFel dI andCan fI allergens than dust from bedrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms. The levels tended to be higher in homes with poor ventilation (P< 0.01) numbers of airborne particles were found in homes with high humidity (i.e., AIH ≥ 7 g/kg or RH ≥ 45%). We conclude that pet allergens are ubiquitous in different climatic regions, being found in bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms. Current or previous presence of a cat or dog, high indoor humidity, presence of wall‐to‐wall carpets, and poor ventilation all increase the risk for high allergen exposure. In contrast, cockroach allergens arc rarely found in a temperate climate.