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Influence of diet on Fel d 1 production by cats
S236 Abstracts
Home Characteristics and Skin Test Sensitivity of Schoolaged Children With Asthma or Asthma-Like Symptoms K. L. Willie1, D. Salazar1, L. C. Roy2, R. S. Gruchalla3; 1Internal Medicine - Allergy & Immunology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 2Children’s Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 3Internal Medicine/Pediatrics - Allergy & Immunology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX. RATIONALE: Urban children with asthma are commonly skin test positive to indoor allergens. We evaluated the relationship between home exposures and skin test sensitivity of children with asthma or asthma-like symptoms attending two Dallas Independent School District elementary schools. METHODS: Students, ages 6-12, with asthma or asthma symptoms were skin tested to cockroach, dust mite, cat, dog, and rodent (rat, mouse) allergens. Students who were skin positive to at least one indoor allergen were invited to participate. We evaluated study participants’ homes for environmental exposures thought to be related to indoor allergen levels. RESULTS: Seventy-eight students entered the study. The skin test sensitivity profiles were similar for children attending either school. Dust mite, either Dermatophagoides farinae or D. pteronyssinus, mouse and cockroach were the most prevalent skin test sensitivities (67.9%, 50% and 46.2% respectively). Fifty-three percent reported problems with cockroaches but only fourteen percent reported problems with mice during the previous year. Apartment living significantly increased the likelihood of cockroach sensitivity (odds ratio 3.824, 95%CI: 1.472 - 9.933; p=.006), as well as leaks in the home in the previous 12 months (odds ratio 2.857, 95%CI: 1.119 - 7.293; p=.037). While most children had wall-to-wall carpeting in their bedroom (88%), it was not significantly associated with dust mite skin sensitivity (p>.05), nor were reported problems with mice significantly associated with mouse skin test sensitivity (p>.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that apartment living and leaks in the home increase the risk of cockroach sensitivity in school-age children with asthma or asthma-like symptoms attending Dallas schools. Funding: ExxonMobil
938
Home Indoor Pollutant and Allergen Exposures in Inner City Children With And Without Asthma G. Diette1, P. Breysse2, T. Buckley2, J. A. Krishnan1, J. Curtin-Brosnan3, P. A. Eggleston3; 1Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 2Environmental Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 3Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. RATIONALE: Evidence for environmental causes of asthma is limited. We tested the hypothesis that homes of pre-school children with asthma would have significantly greater levels of pollutants and allergens than children without asthma. METHODS: Children (ages 2-6 yrs) were enrolled in a cohort study in East Baltimore. From the child’s bedroom, allergens were assayed from settled dust and air monitored for 3 days for PM 2.5, PM 10, NO2, Ozone and endotoxin. Median baseline values were compared for (A) asthmatics (N=150) and (NA) non-asthmatics (N=150). RESULTS: Child characteristics included (male: 58% A vs. 43% NA; black 91% A vs. 89% NA and public health insurance: 87% A vs. 88% NA). Bedroom air pollutant and endotoxin levels did not differ significantly between asthmatics and non-asthmatics [median: PM 2.5 28.7 vs. 28.5 g/m3, PM 10 43.6 vs. 41.4 g/m3, NO2 21.6 vs 20.9 ppb, Ozone 1.4 vs. 1.8 ppb, Endotoxin 0.04 vs. 0.03ng/m3, all p >0.05]. Settled dust allergen levels (cat, dust mite, cockroach, dog and mouse) also were similar in bedrooms of asthmatics and non-asthmatics [median Fel d 1 467 vs. 534 ng/g, Der f 28.5 vs. 40.5 ng/g, Bla g 1 3.4 vs. 3.8 ng/g, Can f1 115 vs 86 ng/g, MUP 2570 vs 2909 ng/g, , all p >0.05]. CONCLUSIONS: Exposures to common home indoor pollutants and allergens are similar for inner city pre-school children with and without asthma. While these exposures may exacerbate existing asthma, this study does not support a causative role of these factors for risk of developing childhood asthma.
939
J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUNOL FEBRUARY 2005
940
Influence of Diet on Fel d 1 Production by Cats
L. G. Arlian1, M. S. Morgan1, J. S. Neal1, D. L. Vyszenski-Moher1, M. A. Tetrick2; 1Dept. of Biological Sciences, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, 2The Iams Company, Lewisburg, OH. RATIONALE: Many households have resident cats and are unwilling to remove the cat even though cat allergic individuals live in the home. If allergen production by cats is related to and can be reduced by diet, then long-term accumulation of cat allergen in a home could be reduced. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of diet on allergen (Fel d 1) production by cats. METHODS: Forty-six indoor cats were fed two different diets over the course of the study. Twenty cats (Group A) were given diet 2 while 26 cats (Group B) were fed diet 1. After a 3-month feeding period, cats were crossed-over to the alternate diet and maintained on this diet for 6 months. Allergen samples were collected from all cats by a standardized wiping method at the beginning of the study and at 4-6 week intervals thereafter. Fel d 1 levels were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: After the first 3-month feeding period, there was no significant difference in the mean allergen levels of the cats on diets 1 and 2. However, 6 months after the diets were crossedover, the allergen levels of cats on diet 1 (Group A) were significantly lower than those for cats fed on diet 2 (Group B). The diet effects took a long time to develop because 3 months after the crossover the mean allergen levels for the two groups were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: Diet influences the production of Fel d 1 by cats. Funding: The Iams Company
TUESDAY
Importance of the Personal Endotoxin Cloud in School-Age Children With Asthma N. Rabinovitch1, A. H. Liu1, L. Zhang2, C. E. Rodes3, K. Foard3, S. J. Dutton4, J. R. Murphy2, E. W. Gelfand1; 1Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, Denver, CO, 2Division of Biostatistics, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, Denver, CO, 3Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, NC, 4Department of Occupational Medicine, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, Denver, CO. RATIONALE: A number of studies have observed associations between the levels of endotoxin in urban dust and asthma severity, but a direct relationship between personal exposure to household endotoxin and asthma worsening has not yet been defined. METHODS: In the winter and spring of 1999-2000, endotoxin exposures were monitored in elementary school children with asthma utilizing portable, as opposed to stationary monitors. These portable monitors are designed to measure inhalable and respirable particulate matter less than or equal to 2.5 and 10 microns in diameter. Lung function and asthma symptoms were monitored daily. RESULTS: Over a 24-hour period, median daily personal endotoxin exposures ranged from 0.08 endotoxin units (EU)/m3 (measured on PM2.5) to 0.37 EU/m3 (measured on PM10). Personal endotoxin exposures were significantly (p<0.001) higher than endotoxin measurements from either indoor or outdoor stationary monitors. Moreover, individual exposures did not correlate with stationary measurements, suggesting that exposures derived from sources in close proximity to the children’s personal activities may be better correlated with disease severity. This was substantiated by the findings that increases in personal endotoxin exposures were associated with significantly decreased forced expiratory volumes in 1 second and increased symptoms (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate the importance of using personal monitoring to both measure and correlate endotoxin exposure with asthma severity. Funding: EPA Grant R825702, Thrasher Research Fund 02816-8,
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Home Characteristics and Skin Test Sensitivity of Schoolaged Children With Asthma or Asthma-Like Symptoms K. L. Willie1, D. Salazar1, L. C. Roy2, R. S. Gruchalla3; 1Internal Medicine - Allergy & Immunology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 2Children’s Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 3Internal Medicine/Pediatrics - Allergy & Immunology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX. RATIONALE: Urban children with asthma are commonly skin test positive to indoor allergens. We evaluated the relationship between home exposures and skin test sensitivity of children with asthma or asthma-like symptoms attending two Dallas Independent School District elementary schools. METHODS: Students, ages 6-12, with asthma or asthma symptoms were skin tested to cockroach, dust mite, cat, dog, and rodent (rat, mouse) allergens. Students who were skin positive to at least one indoor allergen were invited to participate. We evaluated study participants’ homes for environmental exposures thought to be related to indoor allergen levels. RESULTS: Seventy-eight students entered the study. The skin test sensitivity profiles were similar for children attending either school. Dust mite, either Dermatophagoides farinae or D. pteronyssinus, mouse and cockroach were the most prevalent skin test sensitivities (67.9%, 50% and 46.2% respectively). Fifty-three percent reported problems with cockroaches but only fourteen percent reported problems with mice during the previous year. Apartment living significantly increased the likelihood of cockroach sensitivity (odds ratio 3.824, 95%CI: 1.472 - 9.933; p=.006), as well as leaks in the home in the previous 12 months (odds ratio 2.857, 95%CI: 1.119 - 7.293; p=.037). While most children had wall-to-wall carpeting in their bedroom (88%), it was not significantly associated with dust mite skin sensitivity (p>.05), nor were reported problems with mice significantly associated with mouse skin test sensitivity (p>.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that apartment living and leaks in the home increase the risk of cockroach sensitivity in school-age children with asthma or asthma-like symptoms attending Dallas schools. Funding: ExxonMobil
938
Home Indoor Pollutant and Allergen Exposures in Inner City Children With And Without Asthma G. Diette1, P. Breysse2, T. Buckley2, J. A. Krishnan1, J. Curtin-Brosnan3, P. A. Eggleston3; 1Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 2Environmental Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 3Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. RATIONALE: Evidence for environmental causes of asthma is limited. We tested the hypothesis that homes of pre-school children with asthma would have significantly greater levels of pollutants and allergens than children without asthma. METHODS: Children (ages 2-6 yrs) were enrolled in a cohort study in East Baltimore. From the child’s bedroom, allergens were assayed from settled dust and air monitored for 3 days for PM 2.5, PM 10, NO2, Ozone and endotoxin. Median baseline values were compared for (A) asthmatics (N=150) and (NA) non-asthmatics (N=150). RESULTS: Child characteristics included (male: 58% A vs. 43% NA; black 91% A vs. 89% NA and public health insurance: 87% A vs. 88% NA). Bedroom air pollutant and endotoxin levels did not differ significantly between asthmatics and non-asthmatics [median: PM 2.5 28.7 vs. 28.5 g/m3, PM 10 43.6 vs. 41.4 g/m3, NO2 21.6 vs 20.9 ppb, Ozone 1.4 vs. 1.8 ppb, Endotoxin 0.04 vs. 0.03ng/m3, all p >0.05]. Settled dust allergen levels (cat, dust mite, cockroach, dog and mouse) also were similar in bedrooms of asthmatics and non-asthmatics [median Fel d 1 467 vs. 534 ng/g, Der f 28.5 vs. 40.5 ng/g, Bla g 1 3.4 vs. 3.8 ng/g, Can f1 115 vs 86 ng/g, MUP 2570 vs 2909 ng/g, , all p >0.05]. CONCLUSIONS: Exposures to common home indoor pollutants and allergens are similar for inner city pre-school children with and without asthma. While these exposures may exacerbate existing asthma, this study does not support a causative role of these factors for risk of developing childhood asthma.
939
J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUNOL FEBRUARY 2005
940
Influence of Diet on Fel d 1 Production by Cats
L. G. Arlian1, M. S. Morgan1, J. S. Neal1, D. L. Vyszenski-Moher1, M. A. Tetrick2; 1Dept. of Biological Sciences, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, 2The Iams Company, Lewisburg, OH. RATIONALE: Many households have resident cats and are unwilling to remove the cat even though cat allergic individuals live in the home. If allergen production by cats is related to and can be reduced by diet, then long-term accumulation of cat allergen in a home could be reduced. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of diet on allergen (Fel d 1) production by cats. METHODS: Forty-six indoor cats were fed two different diets over the course of the study. Twenty cats (Group A) were given diet 2 while 26 cats (Group B) were fed diet 1. After a 3-month feeding period, cats were crossed-over to the alternate diet and maintained on this diet for 6 months. Allergen samples were collected from all cats by a standardized wiping method at the beginning of the study and at 4-6 week intervals thereafter. Fel d 1 levels were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: After the first 3-month feeding period, there was no significant difference in the mean allergen levels of the cats on diets 1 and 2. However, 6 months after the diets were crossedover, the allergen levels of cats on diet 1 (Group A) were significantly lower than those for cats fed on diet 2 (Group B). The diet effects took a long time to develop because 3 months after the crossover the mean allergen levels for the two groups were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: Diet influences the production of Fel d 1 by cats. Funding: The Iams Company
TUESDAY
Importance of the Personal Endotoxin Cloud in School-Age Children With Asthma N. Rabinovitch1, A. H. Liu1, L. Zhang2, C. E. Rodes3, K. Foard3, S. J. Dutton4, J. R. Murphy2, E. W. Gelfand1; 1Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, Denver, CO, 2Division of Biostatistics, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, Denver, CO, 3Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, NC, 4Department of Occupational Medicine, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, Denver, CO. RATIONALE: A number of studies have observed associations between the levels of endotoxin in urban dust and asthma severity, but a direct relationship between personal exposure to household endotoxin and asthma worsening has not yet been defined. METHODS: In the winter and spring of 1999-2000, endotoxin exposures were monitored in elementary school children with asthma utilizing portable, as opposed to stationary monitors. These portable monitors are designed to measure inhalable and respirable particulate matter less than or equal to 2.5 and 10 microns in diameter. Lung function and asthma symptoms were monitored daily. RESULTS: Over a 24-hour period, median daily personal endotoxin exposures ranged from 0.08 endotoxin units (EU)/m3 (measured on PM2.5) to 0.37 EU/m3 (measured on PM10). Personal endotoxin exposures were significantly (p<0.001) higher than endotoxin measurements from either indoor or outdoor stationary monitors. Moreover, individual exposures did not correlate with stationary measurements, suggesting that exposures derived from sources in close proximity to the children’s personal activities may be better correlated with disease severity. This was substantiated by the findings that increases in personal endotoxin exposures were associated with significantly decreased forced expiratory volumes in 1 second and increased symptoms (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate the importance of using personal monitoring to both measure and correlate endotoxin exposure with asthma severity. Funding: EPA Grant R825702, Thrasher Research Fund 02816-8,
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