Dust Allergens Research Articles

High risk of asthma among early teens is associated with quantitative differences in mite and cat allergen specific IgE and IgG4: a modified Th2 related antibody response revisited.

Although proteins derived from cats are an important contributor to indoor allergen exposure in relation to asthma, it has been known for at least twenty years that some children who live in a house with a cat can become clinically tolerant to these animals. In 2001, we reported that children exposed to high levels of cat allergens made high levels of IgG4 antibodies to the cat allergen Feld1, and we coined the term "a modified Th2 response". However, this phenomenon is still poorly understood. We studied serum antibodies among 616 individuals in the Viva unselected birth cohort recruited at their early teen visit (mean age 13.1 SD 0.8). IgE and IgG4 antibodies were measured by ImmunoCAP to inhaled allergens as well as the best characterised component allergens of cat, Feld1, Feld2, Feld4, and Feld7, and the dust mite allergens Derp1, Derp2, Derp10, and Derp23. The results confirm that young teens living in a home with a cat make high levels of IgG4 specific for cat allergens, and that those antibodies, and specifically those to Feld1 are negatively associated with asthma. By contrast, the IgG4 responses to Feld4 and Feld7 are significantly lower and have no significant association with asthma. Perhaps more surprisingly, a similar effect is seen in relation to dust-mite allergens. Although the allergen Derp1 is a major part of the IgE response to mite allergens, this protein also induced high prevalence and levels of IgG4 antibodies and has a less strong relationship to asthma than IgE to Derp2 or Derp23. Indeed, values of specific IgE to Derp1 >3.5IU/mL were not significantly related to asthma (OR 1.5 CI 0.8-2.8, p=0.3, Chi2 test). The prevalence and levels of specific IgG4 to these less abundant allergens are significantly lower for Derp2 and almost absent for Derp23. High exposure to specific allergens in household dust can enhance production of both sIgE and sIgG4 antibodies, while allergens where abundance is significantly lower in dust can induce sIgE with limited or no sIgG4. The result is that the less abundant allergens, i.e., Feld4, Feld7, Derp2, and Derp23, may have a significantly higher relevance to asthma than expected because they induce less sIgG4. This work was funded by R01-AI20565 (TPM) and support for the IgE and IgG4 assays provided by Phadia/Thermo Fisher Kalamazoo, Michigan. Project Viva is also supported by NIH R01HD034568 and R24ES.

House dust protein level of pigeon drooping and feather in environmental bird exposure-related hypersensitivity pneumonitis "A pilot study".

Bird fancier's disease is a type of HP occurring due to exposure to bird's antigen. The diagnosis is quite difficult as it requires the identification of an inciting agent with findings of HRCT and lung biopsy. The exposure is usually done by history with antigen-specific IgG and/or specific inhalational challenge testing. The study aimed to investigate the role of pigeon allergens in house dust in bird exposure-related HP patients. This was a descriptive, mixed-method observational study. We retrospectively screened all the files of HP patients for exposure history and pigeon-specific IgG of one-year duration. Finally, Finally house dust from 18 cases with HP was collected for analysis of concentration of pigeon droppings and feather proteins. The mean age was 47.8 ± 11.5 years with 78% being female. The median duration of symptoms was 1.75 years with a median exposure history to pigeons of 7 years. The level of specific IgG was raised in 11 (60%) patients with a mean level of 50.6 ± 39.5. The concentration of pigeon-drooping protein was present in all the dust samples with a mean of 17.6 ± 5.6 μg/mg. The highest concentration was 27 μg/mg and the lowest of 9 μg/mg. The concentration of pigeon father protein was present in nearly 50% of the dust sample with a mean of 5.6 ± 6.7 μg/mg and the highest concentration was 15.8 μg/mg. The confirmation history of exposure in bird exposure-related HP is difficult because bird antigen exposure can be presents anywhere. The house dust bird protein concentration measurement is a simple, non-invasive, adjunct test for confirmation of bird exposure.

Characteristics of the allergic disorder and sensibilization spectrum distributions in the Russian Federation taking into account climatic and geographical features of the regions

BACKGROUND: Environmental factors have a direct impact on the course and spread of allergic disorders. In recent decades, there has been an increase in the number of patients with allergic pathology, which is partly due to global environmental changes on the planet and insufficient consideration of the specific climatic and geographic environmental factors of the region where the patient lives. AIM: To study the characteristics of epidemiology, etiology and clinical course of allergic disorders in different regions of the Russian Federation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To achieve this goal, a questionnaire survey of the Chief Consultants was conducted in 2019. Questionnaires were sent to all district, regional, republican centers, and cities of federal significance. The received data were analyzed and structured. RESULTS: Responses to the questionnaires were received from 49 regions of the Russian Federation, where a total of 1,468,105 patients with allergic diseases were registered during the study period. Significant discrepancies in the distribution of allergic disorders and the spectrum of etiologically significant allergens were revealed in different regions of the Russian Federation, reflecting their climatic and geographical peculiarities. There is an increase in respiratory forms of allergy, multisensitization and multi-organ allergic lesions. The Ural Federal District has the lowest number of cases of allergic rhinitis (p = 0.001) among the studied regions, and bronchial asthma is more common than other forms of respiratory allergy (p 0.001), while in the Southern Federal District the prevalence of this disease was statistically significantly lower than in the northern regions (p 0.001). Atopic dermatitis was more frequently registered in the Volga and Far Eastern Federal Districts (p = 0.009, p = 0.012), food allergy – in the Volga and Northwestern Federal Districts (p = 0.008, p = 0.003). In the North Caucasian and Siberian Federal Districts, food allergy was diagnosed least frequently (p = 0.001, p = 0.002). The Northwestern Federal District registered the smallest number of patients with sensitization to house dust allergens (p 0.001), and the Southern Federal District – to house dust mites (p = 0.004). The lowest number of patients with sensitization to weed pollen allergens was noted in the Northwestern Federal District (p 0.001). The Southern and North Caucasian Federal Districts dominate in terms of sensitization to weed pollen allergens (p 0.001, p = 0.001) and show a low percentage of sensitization to tree allergens (p 0.001) compared to other federal districts. Low sensitization of patients to mold allergens is noted in the Ural Federal District (p 0.001). The highest proportion of insect allergy is noted in the Siberian (p = 0.001), and the lowest – in the Central Federal District (p 0.001). The North Caucasian Federal District showed the lowest percentage of sensitization to food allergens (p = 0.04). Low availability of specialized care and insufficient prescription of pathogenetic allergen-specific immunotherapy were found in all federal districts of the Russian Federation. CONCLUSION: Different climatic and geographic regions of the Russian Federation differ from each other in the structure of allergic diseases and sensitization spectrum, which should be taken into account in the development of preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic measures in these territories.

Assessment of the Allergenic Potential of Urban Woody Flora of Rostov-on-Don

Introduction. Plant pollen causes various allergic reactions in humans, including respiratory diseases, immune system disorders, bronchitis, conjunctivitis, dermatitis, and hay fever. These diseases affect up to 30% of the world's population. In large cities, trees and shrubs used in landscaping are significant sources of allergenic dust. Despite this, the greening of cities worldwide often occurs without considering the allergenic properties of plants. With the development of proteomics, it has become possible to assess the degree of allergenicity of proteins that make up plant pollen in detail. Based on this information, a scale of potential allergenicity for woody plants has been developed. The aim of this study is to assess the allergenic potential of woody plants in the urban flora of Rostov-on-Don.Materials and Methods. The object of the study was trees and shrubs used in the landscaping of Rostov-on-Don. The analysis of floristic data was based on the materials obtained during field work in 2023 on the territory of Rostov-on-Don. The author also used the lists of the city's dendroflora compiled between 2007 and 2022. The assessment of the potential allergenicity of woody plant species was conducted on a five-point scale, with 0 indicating plants that did not pose an allergic hazard, 1 indicating a low allergenicity level, 2 indicating a medium class, 3 indicating a high level, and 4 indicating a very high level of allergenicity.Results. In the flora of woody plants in Rostov-on-Don, 61 species of potentially allergenic plants were identified, posing varying levels of danger to human health. The share of all types of potentially allergenic woody plants was 30% of the total number of urban woody flora species in the city. The most powerful sources of allergenic pollen included nine species (Fraxinus Excelsior, Betula Pendula, B. Verrucosa, Platycladus Orientalis, etc.), which posed the greatest threat of hay fever and other allergic reactions. As a rule, these were typically wind-pollinated plants that produced maximum amounts of pollen. The list of potentially allergenic species included a significant number of adventitious species (24 species), which made it difficult to control their spread. A taxonomic analysis of potentially allergenic species was carried out at the order level, for which specific protein reactions were identified and detailed approaches to the prevention and treatment of hay fever were developed. The orders Pinales and Fagales form the bulk of allergenic pollen in the winter-spring period.Discussion and Conclusion. For the first time, studies were conducted on the allergenic activity of urban woody flora in the southern regions of Russia. An assessment of their allergenic potential allowed us to determine the level of threat of allergic reactions in humans. The greatest danger comes from both allergenic and invasive species that can spread actively and increase in numbers. Representatives of the Pinales and Fagales orders have proven to be significant sources of allergenic pollen, as they often have high ornamental qualities and play a prominent role in design projects. In some cases, it may be possible to replace these cultures with less allergenic alternatives, such as representatives of the Rosales order, to reduce the risk of allergic reactions.

Relationship between dust allergen sensitization and cardiac autonomic function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Cardiac autonomic function predicts cardiovascular disease risk. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between sensitization to dust allergens and cardiac autonomic dysfunction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and to provide new ideas for the prevention of cardiovascular complications in these patients. Immunoassays for sensitization to cats/dogs, cockroaches and dust mites were performed in 840 patients with COPD. Indicators of heart rate variability in these patients were used to assess cardiac autonomic function, including standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN), root-mean square of successive differences between normal-to-normal intervals (RMSSD), low-frequency power (LF), high-frequency power (HF), and LF/HF ratios, which were obtained based on ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring data. The relationship between sensitization to these dust allergens and heart rate variability was explored using multivariate logistic regression. The multivariate analyses showed that sensitization to total allergens was associated with reduced levels of SDNN, RMSSD, LF and HF and with increased levels of the LF/HF ratio in the patients with COPD (p < .05). Dust allergen sensitization may be associated with cardiac autonomic dysfunction in patients with COPD. Whether desensitization can prevent cardiovascular complications in these patients should be further explored.

PTRF-IL33-ZBP1 signaling mediating macrophage necroptosis contributes to HDM-induced airway inflammation

Polymerase 1 and transcript release factor (PTRF, encoding by Cavin-1) regulates interleukin 33 (IL-33) release, which is implicated in asthma development. Z-DNA binding protein 1 (ZBP1)-sensing Z-RNAs induces necroptosis which causes inflammatory diseases. House dust mite (HDM) is the major source of allergen in house dust and is strongly associated with the development of asthma. Whether PTRF via IL-33 and ZBP1 mediates HDM-induced macrophage necroptosis and airway inflammation remains unclear. Here, we found that deficiency of PTRF could reduce lung IL-33, ZBP1, phosphor-receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (p-RIPK3), and phosphor-mixed lineage kinase domain-like (p-MLKL) (necroptosis executioner), and airway inflammation in an HDM-induced asthma mouse model. In HDM-treated macrophages, ZBP1, p-RIPK3, and p-MLKL levels were markedly increased, and these changes were reversed by deletion of Cavin-1. Deletion of Il33 also reduced expression of ZBP1, p-RIPK3, and p-MLKL in HDM-challenged lungs. Moreover, IL-33 synergizing with HDM boosted expression of ZBP1, p-RIPK3, and p-MLKL in macrophages. In bronchial epithelial cells rather than macrophages and vascular endothelial cells, PTRF positively regulates IL-33 expression. Therefore, we conclude that PTRF mediates HDM-induced macrophage ZBP1/necroptosis and airway inflammation, and this effect could be boosted by bronchial epithelial cell-derived IL-33. Our findings suggest that PTRF-IL33-ZBP1 signaling pathway might be a promising target for dampening airway inflammation.

Allergy to Cow’s Milk Proteins and Other Allergens—An Unrecognized Co-Factor of Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome in Children or a Factor Interfering with the Treatment of This Disease? A Case Report

Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) is one of the chronic kidney diseases that occurs in childhood. Starting from a few case reports in the 1950s–1970s and up to the present, the relationship between idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) and the occurrence of atopic disorders in these patients has been discussed in many medical publications. These publications show that in certain patients, mainly children and adolescents, but also in adults with INS, various clinical symptoms and laboratory indicators of an atopic allergic process may be present. This process has been shown to involve Th2 lymphocytes, to have an excessive production of interleukins (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13), and to have an increased serum level of immunoglobulin E (IgE). This leads to the development of a systemic allergic inflammatory process, of which the kidneys can also become the effector organ. The coexistence of an allergic process which may adversely affect the course of nephrotic syndrome may be confirmed by the increased serum IgE level and the hypersensitivity reaction of the patient’s body to various environmental allergens (through the presence of allergen-specific IgE /asIgE/ antibodies to food, pollen, mould, dust, or other allergens in the blood serum). High concentrations of IL-13 and other plasma mediators of this inflammation (e.g., histamine, bradykinin) structurally and functionally damage the renal filtration barrier, and in particular, the function of podocytes in the glomeruli. Podocyte dysfunction disturbs the physiological process of plasma filtration in the glomeruli, leading to excessive protein loss in the urine. These disorders initiate the development of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in these patients. This publication presents the coexistence of an allergic process caused by allergy to cow’s milk proteins and hypersensitivity to other allergens in a child with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. This publication also assesses whether treatment of the allergic process coexisting with INS with an elimination diet (milk-free, hypoallergenic) and anti-allergic drugs affected the course and treatment of INS in this child.

Tablet-lyophilizate containing a mixture of house dust mites usage for skin prick testing to confirm house dust mites sensitization

BACKGROUND: Since 2021, the production of water-salt allergens for skin allergy tests with household allergens has been suspended, which has led to the lack of an objective opportunity for skin prick tests in medical and preventive institutions in the Russian Federation. Quantitative determination of allergen-specific immunoglobulin class E in the blood serum by the ImmunoCAP method is currently difficult because of the lack of supplies in the laboratory.&#x0D; AIMS: To assess the possibility of using a drug solution of a lyophilizate mixture of house dust mites (Acarisax) containing house dust allergens Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae in equal amounts 12 SQ-HDM for the skin hood tests to confirm the sensitization of patients with mites of home dusts.&#x0D; MATERIALS AND METHODS: Skin prick tests were conducted with dilutions of one tablet per 2.5 and 5 mL of diluting liquid of the study drug with positive and negative controls. Statistical analysis was conducted using Statistica 13.3 or IBM SPSS 17.0. To analyze efficacy and safety, standard parametric tests were used: Students t-test for dependent/independent samples, analysis of variance for repeated measurements, MannWhitney U-test, and ShapiroWilk test. The analysis of AEs was based on an estimate of the frequency of undesirable phenomena/serious undesirable phenomena.&#x0D; RESULTS: The correlation was estimated between the total level of specific IgE to tick-borne allergens D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae measured during screening and the papule size 20 min after applying the drug in breeding with one tablet per 2.5 mL and 5 mL of a diluting liquid. The correlation coefficients (R) in both groups (total) were 0.735 (high correlation) and 0.762 (high correlation). The result was statistically significant (p 0.05) in both groups. The clinical test showed that the lyophilizate drug, a mixture of domestic dust mites containing dermal dust allergens D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae in equal quantities 12 SQ-HDM is a safe and informative method when used in skin hood tests to confirm the sensitization of patients to domestic dust ticks.&#x0D; CONCLUSIONS: For skin hood tests, to confirm the sensitization of patients to domestic dust ticks, the studied drug can be used in greater dilution one tablet per 5 mL of the diluting fluid. The lyophilizate mixture of dust mites containing D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae homemade allergens 12 SQ-HDM is safe and well tolerated by patients when used in skin test tests.

Local allergic rhinitis: the issue and its significance

The article presents the pathogenetic mechanisms of allergic rhinitis and approaches to the allergic diagnosis of this pathology. The clinician has an opportunity to verify the presence of this particular form of rhinitis when using the following laboratory diagnostic methods: determining the level of IgE in the nasal secretion, using the basophil activation test, rhinocytogram, and other nasal cytology tests. The basophil activation test is a functional study in which flow cytometry is used to determine the expression of activation markers on basophils following the exposure to the relevant al lergen. The use of this test in diagnostics showed that it had 50% sensitivity and 93% specificity in the examination of patients with suspected sensitization to house dust allergens. Even higher sensitivity rates (66%) with equal specificity (91.7%) were found in patients with sensitization to pollen allergens.

Wood dust and asthma.

Review recent developments on asthma associated with wood dust, given the increasing scale of wood handling and processing activities globally. Work in wood industries is associated with a significantly increased risk of respiratory symptoms, rhinitis and asthma. This can be attributed to traditional processing techniques and newer technologies producing complex bioaerosol exposures, which may include chemicals. Meta-analysis studies indicate strong evidence for wood dusts as occupational sensitizers for asthma, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. The global prevalence of asthma in wood workers ranges between 6-18% and for rhinitis 16-33%. Exposure estimates show wide variation. Risk factors include atopy and exposure to certain wood species, elevated current and cumulative particulate exposures. Future studies should focus on better characterization of wood dust allergens and other bioaerosol components, specific immunoglobulin E responses to different wood species, pathophysiological mechanisms underlying asthma, and modelling dose-response relationships using refined exposure metrics for dust particulate and other bioaerosol components. There is a need for improved health-based international exposure standards and effective workplace control measures to reduce exposures to wood dust particulate (hard and soft woods), endotoxin and β-glucan, to reduce the risks of asthma in wood workers.

Avoidance measures for mite allergy—an update

AbstractHouse dust mites are a major source of allergens in house dust and, thus, the main trigger of perennial allergic respiratory diseases [1–5]. Scientific research on the life cycle, diet, and reproductive behavior of dust mites and on the biology of mite allergens has uncovered mechanisms leading to the development of respiratory allergies and suggests measures that can minimize exposure to dust mite allergens. Here, we discuss the evidence linking house dust mite exposure and respiratory allergies and present the efficacy of avoidance measures and their scientific evidence.

Клещи домашней пыли: коварство симбиоза

Aim: to assess changes in the patterns of sensitization to house dust allergens in a cohort of children with allergic disorders over the last 30 years. Patients and Methods: this retrospective analysis included 26,343 protocols of allergy tests to house dust and its allergenic components (house mix, D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae mites, library dust) that had been carried out in children 4–18 years old over the period from 1989 to 2019. Skin testing was performed using the generally accepted scarification technique on the anterior surface of the forearm through a drop of the tested allergen. Then, the test results are assessed by visual inspection with a score of 1 — 4. The results of continuous monitoring were summarized and statistically processed for all years of the observation period, but the article presents analysis of the "cross-section" indicators only for those years that were convenient for comparison. The authors calculated a percentage ratio of the number of patients sensitized to the studied allergen to the total number of patients tested for hypersensitivity to this allergen during a particular year. Then, they compared the percentage of patients with low (1–2) and high (3–4) scores. Results and Discussion: the analysis showed a steady increase in IgE hypersensitivity to the house dust mix (from 23.7% in 1989 to 71.2% in 2019). Also, it demonstrated an increase in the degree of sensitization (3 — 4 scores) to the integral dust mix (from 4.2% in 1989 to 16.6% in 2019), which was significantly higher than that to the dust mites themselves due to the diverse composition of specific proteins of epidermal, fungal, bacterial, and insect origin that can induce antibodies independently on each other. There was a similar 2.6-fold growth in sensitization to the library dust over the first 10 years of observation, and by 2019 hypersensitization developed in 57.2% of children from this cohort. However, a dramatic decline in high scores (3–4) of the detected level to 5% was reported in 2019 which was associated with the changes in the ways of in-house data storage. Conclusion: the study findings provide a rationale for the mandatory control of dynamic changes in sensitization among children with allergic disorders using an expended household allergen panel. The steady increase in sensitization to house dust allergens confirms a low effectiveness of elimination measures and suggests a progressive immune imbalance under the everyday pressure of urban ecology. KEYWORDS: children, house dust, allergens of house and library dust, household sensitization, mites. FOR CITATION: Bardenikova S.I., Rychkova T.I., Kulikova E.V. et al. House dust mites: the insidious symbiosis. Russian Medical Inquiry. 2023;7(2):89–95 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2587-6821-2023-7-2-89-95.

Overcrowding and Hazardous Dwelling Condition Characteristics: A Systematic Search and Scoping Review of Relevance for Health.

Crowding in dwellings is an important public health issue. We hypothesize that overcrowding may cause indirect health effects by adversely affecting the dwelling itself, for example, by increasing dampness leading to mold. We therefore performed a systematic search and a scoping review on overcrowding leading to dwelling condition characteristics of relevance for health. A literature search was performed using the PubMed and Scopus databases up to 5 March 2021. The search yielded 100 records with relevant information. We found that overcrowding is defined in numerous ways and often address "socially deprived" populations. Six studies report associations of overcrowding with at least one dwelling condition characteristic, namely lead, cadmium, microorganism distribution, dust mite and cockroach allergens in dust, cockroach infestation, peeling paint, and mold. One of the studies reports associations between several characteristics, e.g., association of mold with cleanliness and rodent infestation, and points out the common use of pesticides. Additional characteristics were extracted from the remaining 94 records, without data on statistical associations with overcrowding. Our review suggests that multiple potentially hazardous dwelling condition characteristics often coincide in overcrowded dwellings. The epidemiological attribution of health effects to any characteristic is therefore difficult. Causal relationships are even more difficult to establish, as overcrowding is also associated with a range of social and other circumstances that may affect health. The complexity should be considered by scientists and practitioners dealing with overcrowding in dwellings.

Exposure to House Dust Mite Allergen and Endotoxin in Early Life and Sensitization and Allergic Rhinitis: The JECS.

The association between endotoxin and allergic rhinitis (AR) is not conclusive. The aim of this study was to determine the association between endotoxin and house dust mite (HDM) allergens in dust, and HDM sensitization and AR among Japanese infants. This study included 4188 participants in the Sub-Cohort Study of the Japan Environment and Children's Study. Dust was collected from children's mattresses at age 18 months and endotoxin and HDM allergen levels were measured. A logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between endotoxin or HDM allergen and the sensitization to HDM (specific-IgE) at age 2 and AR at age 3. The median (interquartile range) endotoxin level was 375.1(186.9-826.5) EU/m2 and the Der 1 (Der p 1 + Der f 1) level was 51.2 (14.8-168.6) ng/m2. There were significant positive associations between endotoxin and HDM sensitization (Der f 1, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] quartile [Q] 4 vs. Q1, 1.44, 95% CI, 1.04-2.00; Der p 1, aOR Q4 vs. Q1, 1.56, 95% CI, 1.12-2.16). There were also significant positive associations between Der 1 exposure and HDM sensitization (Der f 1, aOR Q3 vs. Q1, 1.75, 95% CI, 1.26-2.44; aOR Q4 vs. Q1, 2.98, 95% CI, 2.15-4.13; Der p 1, aOR Q3 vs. Q1, 1.91, 95% CI, 1.37-2.66; aOR Q4 vs. Q1, 2.91, 95% CI, 2.09-4.05). There were, however, no associations between endotoxin or Der 1 and AR. In the population residing mostly in non-farming settings, both endotoxin and HDM allergens in dust were associated with an increased risk of HDM allergen sensitization, but not with AR.

A Methodological Review of Tools That Assess Dust Microbiomes, Metatranscriptomes and the Particulate Chemistry of Indoor Dust

Indoor house dust is a blend of organic and inorganic materials, upon which diverse microbial communities such as viruses, bacteria and fungi reside. Adequate moisture in the indoor environment helps microbial communities multiply fast. The outdoor air and materials that are brought into the buildings by airflow, sandstorms, animals pets and house occupants endow the indoor dust particles with extra features that impact human health. Assessment of the health effects of indoor dust particles, the type of indoor microbial inoculants and the secreted enzymes by indoor insects as allergens merit detailed investigation. Here, we discuss the applications of next generation sequencing (NGS) technology which is used to assess microbial diversity and abundance of the indoor dust environments. Likewise, the applications of NGS are discussed to monitor the gene expression profiles of indoor human occupants or their surrogate cellular models when exposed to aqueous solution of collected indoor dust samples. We also highlight the detection methods of dust allergens and analytical procedures that quantify the chemical nature of indoor particulate matter with a potential impact on human health. Our review is thus unique in advocating the applications of interdisciplinary approaches that comprehensively assess the health effects due to bad air quality in built environments.

Impact of environmental factors and bacterial interactions on dust mite allergens in different indoor dust

Indoor dust is the main carrier of indoor pollutants, especially dust mite allergens and bacteria, they can trigger asthma, rhinitis, eczema and other allergic diseases. However, the interactions between dust mite allergens and bacterial communities in different types of indoor dust are not clear. The study focused on particulate and flocculent fibrous dust, explored the concentrations of Der p 1 (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) and Der f 1 (D. farinae) in 46 households in Changchun and their environmental influences, characterized the bacterial communities by high-throughput sequencing, and the interactions between Der p 1, Der f 1 and bacterial communities were explored. The results showed that Der p 1 and Der f 1 tended to accumulate more in flocculent fibrous dust, and Der p 1 predominated in the indoor dust samples. The floor height, years of housing occupancy and the living areas all affected the concentrations of dust mite allergens. In bacterial community, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria were leading phyla in the two types of dust. Kocuria, Blastococcus and Massilia were dominating genera in particulate dust and Acinetobacter, Lactobacillus, Corynebacterium_1 were dominating genera in flocculent fibrous dust. The overall diversity and species richness of bacteria in particulate dust were significantly higher than those in flocculent dust (p < 0.001). The living area was an important environmental factor affecting the bacterial community in flocculent fibrous dust (p < 0.01). The interaction between the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria and dust mite allergen concentrations significantly differed between the two dust types, indicating that bacteria could be used both as food and to establish symbiotic relationships with household dust mites (HDMs) hosts and provide nutrition.

Comprehensive home environmental intervention did not reduce allergen concentrations or controller medication requirements among children in Baltimore

Objective To determine if the addition of home environmental control strategies (ECSs) to controller medication titration reduces asthma controller medication requirements and in-home allergen concentrations among children with persistent asthma in Baltimore City. Methods 155 children ages 5–17 with allergen-sensitized asthma were enrolled in a 6-month randomized clinical trial of multifaceted, individually-tailored ECS plus asthma controller medication titration compared to controller medication titration alone. Participants had to meet criteria for persistent asthma and have had an exacerbation in the previous 18 months. Allergen sensitization (mouse, cockroach, cat, dog, dust mite) was assessed at baseline and home dust allergen concentrations were measured at baseline, 3 and 6 months. ECS was delivered 3–4 times over the trial. Asthma controller medication was titrated using a guidelines-based algorithm at baseline, 2, 4, and 6 months. The primary outcome was controller medication treatment step at 6 months (0–6, as-needed albuterol to high-dose ICS + LABA). Results The population was predominately Black (90%), on public insurance (93%), and male (61%). The mean age was 10.1 years (SD 3.3). More than 70% were sensitized to a rodent, >50% to cockroach, and 70% were polysensitized. At 6 months, there were no differences in either treatment step (3.8 [SD 1.4] vs. 3.7 [SD 1.5]) or allergen concentrations between groups. Conclusion Among this predominantly low-income, Black pediatric asthma population, the addition of ECS to controller medication titration reduced neither indoor allergen concentrations nor controller medication requirements compared to controller medication titration alone.

Role of Vitamin D &amp; Immunoglobulins E in patients of Seasonal Allergic Conjunctivitis

Introduction: Allergic conjunctivitis is in fact a bunch of diseases affecting the visual surface and is usually related with type1 hypersensitivity reactions. Two acute disorders, seasonal allergic conjunctivitis and perennial allergic conjunctivitis, exist, as do 3 chronic illnesses, vernal keratoconjunctivitis, atopic keratoconjunctivitis, and giant papillary conjunctivitis. Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis is related with seasonal hypersensitivities that ordinarily happen amid the spring and summer months, and in some cases amid the fall. Exposure to dust, grass and other airborne allergens causes seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. Low levels of vitamin D somewhat related to allergic disorders. This study show a relationship between Serum vitamin D and Immunoglobulin’s E in patients of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis Objective: To evaluate serum vitamin D and serum total immunoglobulin E levels in patients with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC). Material and Methods Study design: quantitative cross sectional Duration: Six months i.e. 1st September 2021 to 28th February 2022 Data Collection procedure: A cross sectional study was conducted on 100 patients. The study was conducted in Holy Family Hospital Rawalpindi. Ethical approval was taken from ethical committee. An educated consent was taken from the participants. 60 patients in this study presented with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis and 40 healthy normal persons were included. Serum vitamin D and serum total IgE levels were calculated. Results: The average age of the participant in this study was in between 30-50 years of age. In SAC group 40 were males and 20 females. Group two healthy normal consist of 25 males and 15 females. There is a significant decrease of vitamin D level in patients who were diagnosed seasonal allergic conjunctivitis and IgE levels were high when compared to normal healthy group Conclusion: In conclusion, we demonstrated lower plasma vitamin D levels in patients with SAC compared with the control bunch. To conclude a certain association between vitamin D status and allergic conjunctivitis, both multicenter larger case arrangement and further studies examining the impacts of vitamin D supplementation ought to be performed in the long run. Keywords: Vitamin D, seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, IgE, Allergy

Sublingual immunotherapy's effectiveness in lowering Platelet Factor-4 levels in 7 to 11 years old aged children having a clinical history of House Dust Allergen induced allergic rhinitis.

Sublingual immunotherapy's effectiveness in lowering Platelet Factor-4 levels in 7 to 11 years old aged children having a clinical history of House Dust Allergen induced allergic rhinitis.

Role of Abiotic Factors on House Dust Mite Population: Control and Allergen Avoidance - A Review Article

House dust mites (HDM’s) are an important source of indoor allergens in the house dust and cause various kinds of allergies. They are strongly influenced by abiotic factors such as temperature, relative humidity and seasonal variations. HDM’s are present in houses all over the year but their number varies in different seasons and habitats. The moderate environmental temperature, high relative humidity and adequate food sources are the key factors for their proliferation. The season has a great effect on the mite population. In the rainy season, moderate temperature and high relative humidity are the favorable conditions for the growth of mites, and the population of mites reaches a peak level. Whereas, high temperature and low relative humidity during summer season significantly reduce the mite population level and in the winter season, fall in temperature will drastically reduce the mite number because mites perish due to chilling. Relative humidity of a particular place plays an important role in the growth of mites. By controlling the relative humidity of a particular place, the HDM allergens can be reduced in that place. The prevalence of these mites and their allergen content vary within the locations in the home. Mattresses, carpets, sofas are the main reservoir of HDM’s, as the dust and shed skin scales accumulate in these places and provide abundant nutrition to dust mites. To reduce the allergen content from houses, frequent cleaning and vacuuming of mattresses and pillows, the use of encasement should be advised for allergic subjects.