Levels and determinants of β(1 → 3)-glucans and fungal extracellular polysaccharides in house dust of (pre-)schoolchildren in three European countries

Abstract

Background Mold growth is believed to be one causative factor underlying the association between dampness in buildings and increased respiratory morbidity. Measurements of β(1 → 3)-glucans and fungal extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) are used as markers of mold exposure in field studies. Little is known about their levels and determinants in homes. Objective To study levels and determinants of β(1 → 3)-glucan and EPS levels in mattress and living room floor dust in three European countries. Methods Mattress and living room floor dust was collected in the homes of 1065 German, Dutch, and Swedish (pre-)school children. All samples were analyzed for β(1 → 3)-glucans and EPS in one central laboratory. Determinants were assessed by questionnaire. Results Amounts of dust, EPS and β(1 → 3)-glucan levels differed between countries. Amounts of dust, β(1 → 3)-glucan and EPS levels for mattresses were only weakly correlated with those for living room floors. Floor dust β(1 → 3)-glucan loads, EPS loads and EPS concentrations were strongly correlated with the amount of dust sampled, which is largely determined by the type of floor that was sampled (carpeted floors had 5–20 higher amounts of dust). None of the other determinants was consistently and statistically significantly associated with amounts of dust, β(1 → 3)-glucan and EPS concentrations on floors and mattresses. Conclusion Mattress dust and floor dust are two different measures of exposure to the investigated mold components. Living room floor β(1 → 3)-glucan and EPS loads and EPS concentrations are largely determined by the type of floor sampled. Differences between countries can only partly be explained by the determinants studied.