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Home Cleaning Awareness Improves Asthma Quality Of Life
Abstracts S189
J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUNOL VOLUME 119, NUMBER 1
Relative Potency of Mold and House Dust Mite Extracts in Inducing Allergic Responses in BALB/c Mice Y. Chung, L. B. Copeland, M. D. W. Ward; US/EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC. RATIONALE: Mold has been associated with the exacerbation of allergic asthma. However, its role in induction of allergic asthma is not clear. Using a previously developed mouse model for allergic asthma, we compared potencies of two fungal extracts (Metarhizium anisopliae [MACA] and Stachybotrys chartarum [SCE]) to house dust mite extract (HDM) - a well known causative agent for allergic asthma. METHODS: The fungal protein or house dust mite extracts were administered by pharyngeal aspiration at several doses (2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 microgram) four times over a four-week period. Three days after the last exposure, serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were harvested. BALF total and differential cells were counted. Serum total and specific IgE were assessed by ELISA and rat basophilic leukemia cell assay, respectively. RESULTS: Multiple exposures to HDM, SCE, or MACA caused dosedependent increases in influx of immune cells, total IgE, and specific IgE. Eosinophil counts and total IgE levels were significantly increased in MACA-treated mice at 20 microgram dose when compared to those of HDM-, SCE-treated mice. Specific IgE levels at 10% beta-hexosaminidase release were higher in HDM- and MACA-treated mice than in SCE-treated mice. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the levels of cellular influx and IgE in sera, MACA is as potent as HDM in inducing allergic responses where SCE is less potent than MACA and HDM in our mouse model for allergic asthma. Those parameters - eosinophils, total and specific IgE - are useful tools in determining relative potency of allergens (This abstract does not reflect EPA policy.) Funding: US/EPA
742
Meteorological Effects May Alter the Incidence of Rye-grass Pollen Related Asthma M. M. Glovsky1, K. Jacobson2, S. Zakarian2, J. Jensen2, J. Moran2, P. E. Taylor1; 1Huntington Asthma and Allergy Center, Pasadena, CA, 2Allergy and Asthma Research Group, Eugene, OR. RATIONALE: Rye-grass pollen releases numerous respirable fragments upon exposure to high relative humidity (RH). These range in diameter from 30 nm to 4 mm. Also, wind tunnel experiments showed that a minimum wind speed of 6 mph was required to release rye-grass pollen and pollen fragments from their anthers. METHODS: Daily admissions for asthma to the Emergency Department and Urgent Care were provided by the major area hospital in Eugene, OR. Pollen counts were performed daily at Eugene and Coburg, Oregon. Meteorological data (rainfall, RH, and wind speed) were monitored by the US National Weather Service. RESULTS: The grass pollen counts for May 2006 were generally <50. The first pollen count above 100 was associated with a doubling in asthma evaluations. The two peaks in asthma evaluations in May were correlated with days having peaks in rainfall (p<0.04) and maximum wind speed (p<0.0151). Daily maximum RH in May averaged 90 to 100%. Peaks in grass pollen counts in June were correlated with peaks in asthma evaluations. CONCLUSIONS: Laboratory experiments suggest that peaks in either RH or rainfall in May are sufficient to cause rye-grass pollen fragmentation. Peaks in wind speed are sufficient to disperse both the pollen grains and fragments. Whether pollen fragmentation is occurring in May and June remains to be determined. Funding: Research Management Group
743
Home Cleaning Awareness Improves Asthma Quality Of Life M. Amado, F. Pacheco, L. Gard, E. Forrest, L. Johnson, C. Barnes; Childrens Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO. RATIONALE: Families of asthmatic children are often willing to put forth great effort to support the suffering family member. To test the impact of cleaning practices on quality of life of asthmatic children we conducted the following studies. METHODS: Families with at least one asthmatic child were recruited from the greater Kansas City metropolitan area. All families were asked to record their cleaning practices for a 2 month period. Families were randomly assigned to one of three cleaning groups. One group was supplied off the shelf cleaning products. A second group was supplied off the shelf cleaning products in addition to a special product designed to reduce allergen levels. A third group was supplied with no products but was encouraged to clean as normal. All participants were asked to complete two asthma quality of life surveys at the beginning of the study and every two weeks thereafter. RESULTS: The six quality of life surveys were completed by 93 individuals (at least 30 per group). The quality of life scores for all groups improved through the study (variation 2.95 to 6.7%). The greatest improvements were seen in the groups that were provided free cleaning supplies. There was a significant improvement in the QOL scores for the group that was provided a cleaning product specifically for reduction of allergen levels (p< 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Specific attention to cleaning provided improved quality of life scores for families with asthmatic children. Improvements were greatest when cleaning products specifically designed to reduce allergen levels were supplied. Funding: Clorox Corporation
744
Reduction in Aspergillus and Penicillium Spore Counts Results in Reduction of Aspergillus and Penicillium Antigen Level in House Dust D. R. Ward, P. Dowling, F. Hu, L. Johnson, K. Kennedy, C. Barnes; Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO. RATIONALE: Spores of the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium are commonly found in the indoor environment. To investigate the impact of indoor spore reduction on indoor fungal antigen exposure we conducted the following studies. METHODS: Subject households were recruited from the Kansas City area. Parents of children seen in the Allergy/Asthma Clinic were able to participate. Households containing at least 3 persons and at least 1 child with a history of respiratory disease (asthma, rhinitis, etc) were enrolled. Homes were inspected for the presence of asthma triggers using a standard protocol before repair and again 6 months after repair efforts were complete. Home repair included dehumidification, carpet and drywall removal and HVAC service. Non-viable air samples were taken with an Allergenco MK-3. Aspergillus/Penicillium spores were not differentiated but identified as a group. Dust samples were taken for evaluation of fungal allergens by immunoassay. RESULTS: Of 200 homes recruited, 73 homes completed all sampling and follow up. 85% of the homes had airborne Aspergillus/Penicillium spore levels pre remediation and 61% had airborne Aspergillus/Penicillium post remediation. Mean airborne Aspergillus/Penicillium spore levels before remediation were 4109 spores/m3 of air and after, were 2272 spores/m3 of air. Detectable levels of Aspergillus/Penicillium antigenic material were found in the dust of all houses tested both before and after remediation. The sum of Aspergillus/Penicillium was decreased from a mean of 1.84 mcg/gram dust to 1.48 mcg/gram of dust after remediation (p>0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Reductions in indoor airborne Aspergillus/Penicillium spore levels were accompanied by reductions in Aspergillus/Penicillium antigenic material in house dust. Funding: Housing and Urban Development
MONDAY
741
J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUNOL VOLUME 119, NUMBER 1
Relative Potency of Mold and House Dust Mite Extracts in Inducing Allergic Responses in BALB/c Mice Y. Chung, L. B. Copeland, M. D. W. Ward; US/EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC. RATIONALE: Mold has been associated with the exacerbation of allergic asthma. However, its role in induction of allergic asthma is not clear. Using a previously developed mouse model for allergic asthma, we compared potencies of two fungal extracts (Metarhizium anisopliae [MACA] and Stachybotrys chartarum [SCE]) to house dust mite extract (HDM) - a well known causative agent for allergic asthma. METHODS: The fungal protein or house dust mite extracts were administered by pharyngeal aspiration at several doses (2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 microgram) four times over a four-week period. Three days after the last exposure, serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were harvested. BALF total and differential cells were counted. Serum total and specific IgE were assessed by ELISA and rat basophilic leukemia cell assay, respectively. RESULTS: Multiple exposures to HDM, SCE, or MACA caused dosedependent increases in influx of immune cells, total IgE, and specific IgE. Eosinophil counts and total IgE levels were significantly increased in MACA-treated mice at 20 microgram dose when compared to those of HDM-, SCE-treated mice. Specific IgE levels at 10% beta-hexosaminidase release were higher in HDM- and MACA-treated mice than in SCE-treated mice. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the levels of cellular influx and IgE in sera, MACA is as potent as HDM in inducing allergic responses where SCE is less potent than MACA and HDM in our mouse model for allergic asthma. Those parameters - eosinophils, total and specific IgE - are useful tools in determining relative potency of allergens (This abstract does not reflect EPA policy.) Funding: US/EPA
742
Meteorological Effects May Alter the Incidence of Rye-grass Pollen Related Asthma M. M. Glovsky1, K. Jacobson2, S. Zakarian2, J. Jensen2, J. Moran2, P. E. Taylor1; 1Huntington Asthma and Allergy Center, Pasadena, CA, 2Allergy and Asthma Research Group, Eugene, OR. RATIONALE: Rye-grass pollen releases numerous respirable fragments upon exposure to high relative humidity (RH). These range in diameter from 30 nm to 4 mm. Also, wind tunnel experiments showed that a minimum wind speed of 6 mph was required to release rye-grass pollen and pollen fragments from their anthers. METHODS: Daily admissions for asthma to the Emergency Department and Urgent Care were provided by the major area hospital in Eugene, OR. Pollen counts were performed daily at Eugene and Coburg, Oregon. Meteorological data (rainfall, RH, and wind speed) were monitored by the US National Weather Service. RESULTS: The grass pollen counts for May 2006 were generally <50. The first pollen count above 100 was associated with a doubling in asthma evaluations. The two peaks in asthma evaluations in May were correlated with days having peaks in rainfall (p<0.04) and maximum wind speed (p<0.0151). Daily maximum RH in May averaged 90 to 100%. Peaks in grass pollen counts in June were correlated with peaks in asthma evaluations. CONCLUSIONS: Laboratory experiments suggest that peaks in either RH or rainfall in May are sufficient to cause rye-grass pollen fragmentation. Peaks in wind speed are sufficient to disperse both the pollen grains and fragments. Whether pollen fragmentation is occurring in May and June remains to be determined. Funding: Research Management Group
743
Home Cleaning Awareness Improves Asthma Quality Of Life M. Amado, F. Pacheco, L. Gard, E. Forrest, L. Johnson, C. Barnes; Childrens Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO. RATIONALE: Families of asthmatic children are often willing to put forth great effort to support the suffering family member. To test the impact of cleaning practices on quality of life of asthmatic children we conducted the following studies. METHODS: Families with at least one asthmatic child were recruited from the greater Kansas City metropolitan area. All families were asked to record their cleaning practices for a 2 month period. Families were randomly assigned to one of three cleaning groups. One group was supplied off the shelf cleaning products. A second group was supplied off the shelf cleaning products in addition to a special product designed to reduce allergen levels. A third group was supplied with no products but was encouraged to clean as normal. All participants were asked to complete two asthma quality of life surveys at the beginning of the study and every two weeks thereafter. RESULTS: The six quality of life surveys were completed by 93 individuals (at least 30 per group). The quality of life scores for all groups improved through the study (variation 2.95 to 6.7%). The greatest improvements were seen in the groups that were provided free cleaning supplies. There was a significant improvement in the QOL scores for the group that was provided a cleaning product specifically for reduction of allergen levels (p< 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Specific attention to cleaning provided improved quality of life scores for families with asthmatic children. Improvements were greatest when cleaning products specifically designed to reduce allergen levels were supplied. Funding: Clorox Corporation
744
Reduction in Aspergillus and Penicillium Spore Counts Results in Reduction of Aspergillus and Penicillium Antigen Level in House Dust D. R. Ward, P. Dowling, F. Hu, L. Johnson, K. Kennedy, C. Barnes; Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO. RATIONALE: Spores of the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium are commonly found in the indoor environment. To investigate the impact of indoor spore reduction on indoor fungal antigen exposure we conducted the following studies. METHODS: Subject households were recruited from the Kansas City area. Parents of children seen in the Allergy/Asthma Clinic were able to participate. Households containing at least 3 persons and at least 1 child with a history of respiratory disease (asthma, rhinitis, etc) were enrolled. Homes were inspected for the presence of asthma triggers using a standard protocol before repair and again 6 months after repair efforts were complete. Home repair included dehumidification, carpet and drywall removal and HVAC service. Non-viable air samples were taken with an Allergenco MK-3. Aspergillus/Penicillium spores were not differentiated but identified as a group. Dust samples were taken for evaluation of fungal allergens by immunoassay. RESULTS: Of 200 homes recruited, 73 homes completed all sampling and follow up. 85% of the homes had airborne Aspergillus/Penicillium spore levels pre remediation and 61% had airborne Aspergillus/Penicillium post remediation. Mean airborne Aspergillus/Penicillium spore levels before remediation were 4109 spores/m3 of air and after, were 2272 spores/m3 of air. Detectable levels of Aspergillus/Penicillium antigenic material were found in the dust of all houses tested both before and after remediation. The sum of Aspergillus/Penicillium was decreased from a mean of 1.84 mcg/gram dust to 1.48 mcg/gram of dust after remediation (p>0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Reductions in indoor airborne Aspergillus/Penicillium spore levels were accompanied by reductions in Aspergillus/Penicillium antigenic material in house dust. Funding: Housing and Urban Development
MONDAY
741