Antigenic Analysis of Household Dust Samples

Abstract

Household dust samples from the homes of 106 allergy clinic patients in Baltimore were analyzed for specific allergen content. Dust mite antigen content was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) specific for the major allergens of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, D. farinae, and D. microceras. Cat and dog antigen content were determined by ELISA using antisera for Fel d 1 (formerly cat allergen 1) and dog allergens 3 and 13, respectively. Mold content was assessed by culture with microscopic identification. Dust mite antigen was detected in 99% of homes (D. farinae, 95%; D. pteronyssinus, 88%; D. microceras, 31%), with total antigen content ranging from 50 ng/g dust (the lower limit of detection) to 30,170 ng/g (median, 1,123 ng/g). Animal allergens were found in 100% of samples (cat: range, 2 to 130,000 ng Fel d 1/g; median, 90 ng/g; dog: range, 112.5 to 585,000 IU/g; median, 2,719.5 IU/g). Although there were highly significant differences in antigen content (p less than 0.001) between homes with and without a particular pet in residence, many homes without pets contained pet allergens at high concentrations. Molds were also detected in 100% of homes (range, 4 to 761 colonies/30 mg dust; median, 72 colonies/30 mg). No correlation was demonstrated between antigen content and skin test results, a history of asthma, symptoms on allergen exposure, or the age of the home (except for molds) for any of the allergens detected. We conclude that dust mite allergens, cat and dog allergens, and molds are virtually ubiquitous in Baltimore homes and that our ability to predict the presence and relative quantities of these allergens on clinical grounds is very limited.

Indoor Airborne Mold Spores in Newly Built Dwellings

“…In contrast, several studies reported positive associations between total numbers of CFU and specific diseases such as bronchial asthma (9,24,25). The reason why we found little relationship was possibly because the sample size was small and non-specific diseases were investigated.…”

Exposure to house dust mite allergens and the clinical activity of asthma

“…Mean household exposure to cat allergen Fel d 1 in patients with positive skin test responses to both mites and cats was 1.3 ~g/gm of fine dust, the levels that are usually found in homes without a cat. 31 It is unlikely that exposure to cat allergen at these levels was a significant confounding factor in the analysis of mite allergen exposure-response relationship in asthma activity. Another important factor that can influence the level of BHR is viral infection?…”

First National Survey of Lead and Allergens in Housing: survey design and methods for the allergen and endotoxin components.

“…We then clarified extracts by centrifugation at 1,300 g and pipetted the supernatant into screw-top storage tubes, which we froze until needed. We measured the cockroach antigen Bla g 1 by a two-site, monoclonal antibody enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as described by Pollart et al (23); the dust mite allergens Der f 1 and Der p 1 and the cat allergen Fel d 1 using antigen-capture ELISA assays employing monoclonal capture and detector antibodies (24,25); the dog allergen Can f 1 using a monoclonal capture and polyclonal detector antibody protocol similar to those described by Schou et al (26) and Ingram et al (27); and the rat allergens according to previously published methods (28). We assayed MUP using purified antigen and a polyclonal rabbit anti-MUP antibody (Greer Laboratories, Inc., Lenoir, NC, USA) and goat anti-rabbit antibody (Sigma Chemical Co., St. Louis, MO, USA) in a competitive inhibition ELISA as described by Miller et al (29).…”