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<b>Objective</b>: Plasma cluster ions consist of positive and negative ions and are known to suppress the activity of total bacteria, mold fungi, viruses and allergens floating in the air. In terms of inactivating mite allergens, it was reported that plasma cluster ions suppressed the symptoms of atopic dermatitis in mice. In the present study we investigated the effect of plasma cluster ions on attenuating chronic allergic rhinitis and fatigue induced by mite allergens in humans.<br> <b>Design</b>: Sixteen subjects with specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) positive to <i>Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus</i>, who had symptoms of allergic rhinitis caused by house dust participated in a randomized double-blinded crossover trial. Subjects occupied a mite allergen challenge room and performed mental task for 4 hours with 25,000/cm<sup>3</sup> plasma cluster ions or without plasma cluster ions and rested for 2 hours outside of the room. We measured mite allergens (Der p1) on the floor using plastic dishes (90 mm diameter) placed at 5 points in the room. We also investigated the symptoms of allergic rhinitis using the Japanese Allergic Rhinitis Standard QOL Questionnaire (JRQLQ) during the 4-hour load and 2-hour rest and performance by Uchida-Kraepelin psychodiagnostic test during the 4-hour load.<br> <b>Result</b>: Plasma cluster ions inactivated 80–90% of Der p1 and attenuated the symptoms of nasal congestion in JRQLQ. Moreover, plasma cluster ions inhibited fatigue-induced impaired performance in Uchida-Kraepelin psychodiagnostic test compared to the case without the ions.<br> <b>Conclusion</b>: Plasma cluster ions reduce mite allergens and are effective for attenuating chronic allergic rhinitis and fatigue.<br>
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Background: The prevalence of allergic diseases, particularly asthma and allergic rhinitis, has increased tremendously in Thailand and worldwide. House dust mite (HDM) is the major IgE sensitizer among allergic children and adults. We have developed local standardized mite allergen extracts, Siriraj Mite Allergen Vaccine (SMAV) from Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp) and Dermatophagoides farinae (Df) from our source materials which were highly purified (99%). Objective: To compare in-vivo allergenic potency of both SMAV Dp and Df with commercial standardized mite allergen vaccine by using skin prick testing in mite-sensitive individuals. Methods: This was a double-blind, randomized, self controlled study comparing SMAV and commercial standardized mite allergen vaccine (Dp and Df) by using skin prick testing in mite-sensitive adult volunteers, 18 – 60 years of age. Results: The study was performed in 54 adult volunteers (19 males, mean age 26.6 + 5.5 years old) who had positive skin test to commercial Dp and Df. Seventeen of them had no allergic disease. The most common allergic disease among the volunteers was allergic rhinitis (21/37). Mean wheal diameter of SMAV Dp and commercial Dp at the concentration of 10,000 and 5, 000 AU/ml were equivalent but at the concentration of 2,500 AU/ml was inequivalent. Mean wheal diameter of SMAV Dp was significantly larger than commercial Dp at concentration of 2,500 AU/ml (p < 0.05). Mean wheal diameter of SMAV Df and commercial Df at all 3 concentrations were equivalent. There was no systemic side effect in all subjects. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that in mite-sensitive adults, SPT using SMAV Dp (10,000 AU) and Df (10,000 AU) had equivalent allergenic potency to the commercial comparator without any systemic side effect.
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Background: Different mattress materials may affect the accumulation of allergens. Objective: To compare the amount of group 1 dust mite allergens (Der p1 + Der f1) on mattresses made of different kinds of materials before and after use. Methods: Sixty new mattresses made of kapok, synthetic fiber, coconut fiber and sponge-like polyurethane, were placed in the house officers’ dormitory at Siriraj hospital, Thailand. The dust samples were collected before (0), 1, 2, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after the mattresses were used. Group 1 dust mite allergens were analyzed using two-site monoclonal antibody ELISA. Results: Der f1 made up 86.7 % of group 1 allergens found in the matress dust. After the 2nd month, only the mean level in sponge-like polyurethane mattress was under 2 µg/g dust (sensitized level). At the 6th month, the mean levels were 13.1 in coconut, 21.7 in kapok and 17.3 µg/g dust in synthetic fiber, all of which were more than 10 µg/g dust (symptomatic level). At the 9th month, the level in sponge-like polyurethane mattress was increased to 11.2 µg/g. At 12th month the level in coconut fiber, sponge-like polyurethane synthetic fiber and kapok mattresses were 20.2, 22.4, 28.9 and 32.2 µg/g dust respectively. Conclusions: The accumulation rate in kapok and synthetic mattresses was significantly higher than coconut and sponge-like polyurethane mattresses. The mean level of group 1 mite allergens exceeded 10 µg/g dust after the 6th month of use in coconut fiber, kapok and synthetic fiber and at the 9th month in sponge-like polyurethane mattress.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Two simple, commercially available and semiquantitative dust mite allergen tests, namely, the Acarex test(®) and Mitey Checker(®), were compared using 2 and 10 μg of Der 1 allergen per gram of dust, as evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), to clarify which method is better suited for practical use.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Mite allergen exposure levels of 106 floor, bed and sofa surfaces were evaluated by the Acarex test(®), Mitey Checker(®), and ELISA. A template of 100 cm×100cm was placed on the same surfaces to identify the examined areas. A dust collection filter was attached to a vacuum cleaner, and the area in the template (1 m(2)) was vacuumed. Then, to evaluate the other two tests, samples from the two other areas in the template (1 m(2)) that neighbored each other and did not overlap were vacuumed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>To predict Der 1 levels of 2 μg/g dust or higher, the sensitivity and specificity of the Acarex test(®) were 100% and 13.3%, and those, of Mitey Checker(®) were 91.8% and 71.1%, respectively. To predict Der 1 levels of 10 μg/g dust or higher, the sensitivity and specificity of the Acarex test(®) were 50.0% and 96.2%, and those of Mitey Checker(®) were 85.7% and 79.5%, respectively. Compared with Der 1<2.0, 2.0-9.9.≥10.0 (μg/g dust), the percent agreement and kappa of the Acarex test(®) were 47.2% and 0.234, and those of Mitey Checker(®) were 70.0% and 0.505, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>To evaluate mite allergen exposure level for practical use in Japanese living environments, Mitey Checker(®) is better than the Acarex test(®) because of its higher sensitivity and specificity.</p>
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Objective: Two simple, commercially available and semiquantitative dust mite allergen tests, namely, the Acarex test® and Mitey Checker®, were compared using 2 and 10 μg of Der 1 allergen per gram of dust, as evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), to clarify which method is better suited for practical use. Methods: Mite allergen exposure levels of 106 floor, bed and sofa surfaces were evaluated by the Acarex test®, Mitey Checker®, and ELISA. A template of 100 cm×100 cm was placed on the same surfaces to identify the examined areas. A dust collection filter was attached to a vacuum cleaner, and the area in the template (1 m2) was vacuumed. Then, to evaluate the other two tests, samples from the two other areas in the template (1 m2) that neighbored each other and did not overlap were vacuumed. Results: To predict Der 1 levels of 2 μg/g dust or higher, the sensitivity and specificity of the Acarex test® were 100% and 13.3%, and those of Mitey Checker® were 91.8% and 71.1%, respectively. To predict Der 1 levels of 10 μg/g dust or higher, the sensitivity and specificity of the Acarex test® were 50.0% and 96.2%, and those of Mitey Checker® were 85.7% and 79.5%, respectively. Compared with Der 1<2.0, 2.0-9.9, ≥10.0 (μg/g dust), the percent agreement and kappa of the Acarex test® were 47.2% and 0.234, and those of Mitey Checker® were 70.0% and 0.505, respectively. Conclusion: To evaluate mite allergen exposure level for practical use in Japanese living environments, Mitey Checker® is better than the Acarex test® because of its higher sensitivity and specificity.
Subject(s)
Dust , Allergens , Mites , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent AssayABSTRACT
0.05).Conclution:The NHD house can modulate a imbalanced status of Th1/Th2 cells,Some common antigens are contained in both the dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and other allergens:pollen,fungus,et al,which are able to combine with the specific antibodies in serum.This study provides a theoretical basis for the allergen-specific immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis.
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PURPOSE: There are compelling evidences that house dust mites are important in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. Recently, detection of house dust mite allergens from clothing, skin, and dust from human hair has been reported. To evaluate the importance of house dust mite exposure in the clinical severity of atopic dermatitis. METHODS: We measured house dust mite allergens (Der f1 from Dermatophagoides farinae and Der p1 from D. pteronyssinus) in scalp dander from 27 children with atopic dermatitis and 41 children with asthma only by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and examined correlation between house dust mite allergen concentrations in scalp dander and clinical severity of atopic dermatitis in children. RESULTS: Der f1 was detectable in scalp dander samples of 32 patients (47%) from overall 68 patient and Der p1 was detectable in 33 patients (49%). House dust mite allergens (Der f1 or Der p1) were detectable in scalp dander samples of 46 patients (70%) from overall 68 patient. There was no significant differences in house dust mite allergen levels between atopic dermatitis patients and patients with asthma only. There was a tendency of inverse correlation between frequency of scalp washing and concentration of Der f1 in scalp dander extract (r=-0.24, P=0.052). There was a significant correlation between severity grade of atopic dermatitis and concentration of Der f1 in scalp dander (r=0.39, P0.05). CONCLUSION: There was a significant correlation between house dust mite allergen concentrations in scalp dander and clinical severity in children with atopic dermatitis. And these results suggest that exposure to house dust mite allergen is important in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis.
Subject(s)
Child , Humans , Allergens , Asthma , Clothing , Dander , Dermatitis, Atopic , Dermatophagoides farinae , Dust , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Hair , Pyroglyphidae , Scalp , SkinABSTRACT
By skin prick test,three kinds of mite allergens(Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus,Dermatophagoides farinae,Blomia tropicalis)were tested in a group of asthma children in Jinhua area from Oct 2005 to Sep 2006.The pos-itive rate to allergen from D.pteronyssinus and D.farinae was 80.6% and 77.8% respectively,higher than that of Blomia tropicalis(61.1%)(?2=21.39,P