There are more asthmatics in homes with high cockroach infestation

Abstract

Although asthma has been commonly associated with sensitivity to cockroaches, a clear causal relationship between asthma, allergy to cockroaches and exposure levels has not been extensively investigated. The objective of the present study was to determine whether asthma occurs more frequently in children living in homes with high cockroach infestation. The intensity of household infestation was assessed by the number of dead insects after professional pesticide application. Children living in these houses in the metropolitan area of Recife, PE, were diagnosed as having asthma by means of a questionnaire based on the ISAAC study. All children had physician-diagnosed asthma and at least one acute exacerbation in the past year. Children of both sexes aged 4 to 12 years who had been living in the households for more than 2 years participated in this transverse study and had a good socioeconomic status. In the 172 houses studied, 79 children were considered to have been exposed to cockroaches and 93 not to have been exposed. Children living in residences with more than 5 dead cockroaches after pesticide application were considered to be at high infestation exposure. Asthma was diagnosed by the questionnaire in 31.6% (25/79) of the exposed group and in 11.8% (11/93) of the non-exposed group (P = 0.001), with a prevalence ratio of 3.45 (95%CI,). The present results indicate that exposure to cockroaches was significantly associated with asthma among the children studied and can be considered a risk factor for the disease. Blattella germanica and Periplaneta americana were the species found in 96% of the infested houses.

Pest and allergen exposure and abatement in inner-city asthma: A Work Group Report of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Indoor Allergy/Air Pollution Committee

“…Household exposure to cockroaches and mice has been shown to be associated with higher rates of asthma in inner-city areas both within the United States and in other countries 7,14,29,51–53. Exposure to cockroach allergen has also been shown to be associated with persistent childhood wheezing54 and severe asthma 55.…”

The Efficacy of Ocimum gratissimum Leaf Powder and Ethanol Extract on Adult Periplanata americana under Laboratory Condition

“…Since their origin, not only do they present a variety of health hazard when found in our houses, but are also a threat in commercial places, spreading diseases through any food source, that they come in contact with [6]. Cockroaches can cause food poisoning by crawling into food materials [7]. Cockroach bite in humans lead to an extremely infested wound, so cockroach infection should be treated immediately.…”

Recombinant Allergens for Diagnosis of Cockroach Allergy

“…A key study by Rosenstreich et al [9] revealed that inner-city children with asthma, who were both sensitized to cockroach and exposed to high levels of cockroach allergen in their homes, presented increased asthma morbidity, with more hospitalizations, more medical visits, and more reported symptoms [9]. These findings were confirmed in subsequent studies carried out in inner-city areas in the United States and in other countries [12–15]. Exposure to low levels of Bla g 1 and Bla g 2 has been linked to wheezing among infants in the first 3 months of life and with increased proliferative T cell responses [16].…”