Abstract
BackgroundEndotoxin is ubiquitous in the environment, but its clustering with indoor allergens is not well characterized. This study examined the clustering patterns of endotoxin with allergens in house dust and their association with asthma outcomes.MethodsWe analyzed data from 6963 participants of the 2005–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. House dust sampled from bedroom floor and bedding was evaluated for endotoxin and allergens from fungi, cockroach, dog, cat, mites, and rodents. Two-step cluster analysis and logistic regressions were performed to identify the clustering patterns and their associations with current asthma and wheeze in the past 12 months, adjusting for covariates.ResultsOf the homes, 17.8% had low endotoxin and allergen levels in house dust (Cluster 1). High endotoxin level clustered with Alternaria and pet allergens in the homes of participants with a high socioeconomic status who own pets (Cluster 2) (48.9%). High endotoxin clustered with Aspergillus, dust mites, cockroach, and rodent allergens in the homes of participants with low socioeconomic status (Cluster 3) (33.3%). Compared to Cluster 1, Cluster 2 was associated with higher asthma prevalence (OR 1.42, 95% CI: 1.06–1.91) and wheeze (OR 1.32, 95% CI: 1.07–1.63). Cluster 3 was positively associated with wheeze only in participants sensitized to inhalant allergens (OR 1.42, 95% CI: 1.06–1.91) or exposed to tobacco smoke (OR 1.72, 95% CI: 1.15–2.60).ConclusionsThe clustering of endotoxin with allergens in dust from homes with pets or of people with low socioeconomic status is associated with asthma and wheeze.
Highlights
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disorder characterized by bronchoconstriction, pulmonary inflammation, as well as airway remodeling with symptoms of wheezing, cough, and shortness of breath [1]
The strongest relationships were observed between Alternaria alternata and rat allergens (r = 0.49), between dust mites (Der p 1 and Der f 1) (r = 0.41), and between Alternaria alternata and cat allergens (r = 0.35)
In cluster analysis using the Ward’s method, we identified three patterns of endotoxin clustering with allergens in house dust
Summary
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disorder characterized by bronchoconstriction, pulmonary inflammation, as well as airway remodeling with symptoms of wheezing, cough, and shortness of breath [1]. It affects over 350 million people around the world and was responsible for approximately 400,000 deaths in 2015 [2]. The aim of this study was to examine the clustering patterns of endotoxin and allergens in house dust and their association with asthma outcomes in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). This study examined the clustering patterns of endotoxin with allergens in house dust and their association with asthma outcomes
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