Abstract
RATIONALE: Children spend between one-third and one-fourth of their time in educational facilities. To investigate aero-allergen exposure in these facilities we conducted the following study.METHODS:: Environmental assessment was carried out at numerous schools in the Kansas City Metropolitan area. Airborne spores were collected using an Allergenco MK3 sampler and enumerated visually. Dust was collected using a HEPA vacuum unit and analyzed for Feld1, Can f1, Mus m1, Der f1, Der p1, Bla g2 using monoclonal antibody based immunoassays. Dust was also analyzed for Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Penicillium whole antigen using polyclonal antibody based immunoassays. Correlation analysis was performed on SPSS statistical software.RESULTS: Total spore counts for the indoor collections varied between 13 and 1000 spores per cubic meter of air. The most prevalent indoor taxa was Cladosporium. The most abundant specific allergen was dust mite and the most abundant fungal antigen was Alternaria. The best correlation between airborne spore types and dust allergen level was for Aspergillus (Cor. = 0.33; p = 0.2). The best correlation between airborne spores and allergen levels was between Alternaria spores and Can f1 allergen (Cor. = 0.99; p < 0.001). Among the allergens Fel d1 correlated with group 1 mite (Cor. = 0.75; p < 0.001) and Can f1 correlated with Bla g2 (Cor. = 0.58; p < 0.001).CONCLUSIONS: Dust borne fungal allergen measurements can be good indicators of exposure to fungi originating indoors but are less indicative when dealing with fungi originating in the outdoor environment. RATIONALE: Children spend between one-third and one-fourth of their time in educational facilities. To investigate aero-allergen exposure in these facilities we conducted the following study. METHODS:: Environmental assessment was carried out at numerous schools in the Kansas City Metropolitan area. Airborne spores were collected using an Allergenco MK3 sampler and enumerated visually. Dust was collected using a HEPA vacuum unit and analyzed for Feld1, Can f1, Mus m1, Der f1, Der p1, Bla g2 using monoclonal antibody based immunoassays. Dust was also analyzed for Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Penicillium whole antigen using polyclonal antibody based immunoassays. Correlation analysis was performed on SPSS statistical software. RESULTS: Total spore counts for the indoor collections varied between 13 and 1000 spores per cubic meter of air. The most prevalent indoor taxa was Cladosporium. The most abundant specific allergen was dust mite and the most abundant fungal antigen was Alternaria. The best correlation between airborne spore types and dust allergen level was for Aspergillus (Cor. = 0.33; p = 0.2). The best correlation between airborne spores and allergen levels was between Alternaria spores and Can f1 allergen (Cor. = 0.99; p < 0.001). Among the allergens Fel d1 correlated with group 1 mite (Cor. = 0.75; p < 0.001) and Can f1 correlated with Bla g2 (Cor. = 0.58; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Dust borne fungal allergen measurements can be good indicators of exposure to fungi originating indoors but are less indicative when dealing with fungi originating in the outdoor environment.
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