The level of allergens in dust samples collected from selected schools in Shiraz, Iran and its asthma-risk implications

Abstract

BackgroundBoth home and school are important places where children are exposed to various indoor allergens. This study aimed to identify the profile of indoor allergens in schools and its impact on asthma development. MethodsA total of 104 classrooms from 52 schools were selected for dust collection during the fall of 2017. The levels of indoor allergens including dust mite (Der f1, Der p1), cat (Fel d1), cockroach (Bla g1) and mouse (Mus m1) were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The diagnosis of asthma was made in all students of the selected classes by the allergist. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. ResultsOut of 2816 students in the selected classes, 180 students were involved with asthma. Students were mostly exposed to Bla g1 (83.1%), followed by Der f1 (51.5%), Mus m 1 (45.5%), Der p1 (8.9%) and Fel d1 (7.9%) in the dust collected from 101 classrooms. Although levels of all studied allergens in the settled dust of the classrooms were low, there was a relationship between Fel d1 in the classroom dust and development of asthma. ConclusionThis study showed considerable levels of cockroach allergens in schools. Exposure to cat allergen in our schools played an important role in asthma development; further school-based investigations require evaluating the role of classroom allergen on asthma development.