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Four methods of sampling for dust mite allergen: differences in ‘dust’
Author(s) -
Tovey E. R.,
Mitakakis T. Z.,
Sercombe J. K.,
Vanlaar C. H.,
Marks G. B.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.363
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1398-9995
pISSN - 0105-4538
DOI - 10.1034/j.1398-9995.2003.00228.x
Subject(s) - allergen , vacuum cleaner , petri dish , mite , environmental science , airborne allergen , immunoassay , settling , toxicology , medicine , immunology , allergy , environmental engineering , ecology , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , meteorology , geography , suction , antibody
Background: Measurement of exposure to the dust mite allergen Der p 1 is important in asthma research and is potentially useful in managing asthma. As no single measure can capture all characteristics of an exposure, it is important to recognize differences in the available methods of measuring exposure to Der p 1. Methods: Fourteen bedrooms and living rooms were sampled using four methods for 1 week. Airborne allergen was sampled by static Institute of Occupational Medicine samplers. Settling dust was collected on Petri dishes and an adhesive–membrane system (A‐book). Vacuumed reservoir dust samples were collected from floors at the end of 1 week. Der p 1 was measured in all samples by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, except A‐books, in which it was measured by Halogen immunoassay. Results: All four methods intercorrelated moderately ( r range = 0.40–0.64, P = 0.04), except between allergen in reservoir dust (as μ g/m 2 and μ g/g dust) and settling dust by Petri dishes ( P = 0.2). Reservoir allergen, expressed as μ g/m 2 , did not correlate with any measure, except reservoir allergen expressed as μ g/g ( r = 0.39, P = 0.04). No differences in these associations occurred between bedrooms and living rooms. Conclusions: While the four methods examined correlated moderately, all have practical advantages and difficulties. No method can be considered as ideal for measuring individual exposure. For practicality, use of vacuum cleaner and Petri dish methods are recommended.