Daily Vacuuming of Mattresses Significantly Reduces House Dust Mite Allergens, Bacterial Endotoxin, and Fungal β-Glucan

Abstract

Background and aims. Atopic patients are advised to cover their mattresses with occlusive coverings; however, these are not cheap. We investigated whether daily vacuum cleaning of mattresses significantly reduces content of house dust mite allergens, bacterial endotoxin, and fungal β-glucan. Methods. Twenty volunteers vacuumed their mattress daily for 8 weeks. Dust samples collected at two weekly intervals were analyzed for house dust mite allergens (Der p 1 and Der f 1) by double monoclonal antibody ELISA and for endotoxin and β-glucan by the Limulus amoebocyte lysate kinetic assay. Results are presented as geometric means with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results. Total house dust mite allergens (Der p 1 + Der f 1) significantly reduced from a geometric mean (95% CI) of 4.07 μg (2.44–6.79) at the start to 0.42 μg (0.21–0.81) at week 8. Total endotoxin and β-glucan were also significantly reduced from 13.6 EU (8.6–21.4) to 3.4 EU (2.3–5.0) and from 94.4 μg (57.1–156.2) to 19.7 μg (10.2–37.9), respectively (p for trend >.0001). Percentage reductions in total house dust mite allergens, endotoxin, and β-glucan after 8 weeks of daily vacuum cleaning were 85.1% (80.1–90.1), 71.0% (70.4–81.0), and 75.7% (70.4–81.0), respectively. This was mainly due to a 77.7% (70.8–84.7) reduction in total dust. Conclusion. Daily vacuum cleaning of mattresses over time significantly reduces house dust mite allergens, endotoxin, and β-glucan. This gives atopic patients a practical and cheaper alternative to reduce their exposure to indoor house dust mite allergens and microbial bio-contaminants.