Upper Body Clothing is a Source of Fungal ß-(1,3)-Glucan Exposure

Abstract

ß-(1,3)-glucan is pro-inflammatory and has been associated with airway inflammation and respiratory symptoms. This study assessed ß-(1,3)-glucan levels from upper body clothing (jerseys) of 55 subjects. ß-(1,3)-glucan levels were estimated with a modified Limulusamoebocyte lysate kinetic assay. ß-(1,3)-glucan levels ranged widely from 2,697 to 162,690 ng/g. ß-(1,3)-glucan levels were significantly lower from cotton jerseys and from warm water washed jerseys. Thus, jerseys are potentially a significant exposure source of ß-(1,3)-glucan.