title: Effect of dry cleaning on mite allergen levels in blankets.
abstract: Since one of the greatest reservoirs of allergens is the blanket, we assessed mite allergen levels in dust collected from five blankets by vacuuming before and after dry cleaning with perchlorethylene and compared the results with five control blankets. Assays with monoclonal antibodies showed that group I (Der p I and Der f I) mite allergen levels per g dust were 78% lower after dry cleaning. Group I allergen levels per m2 of dry-cleaned blankets were 98% lower. RAST inhibition showed that total allergen levels decreased 70% after dry cleaning. Mite allergens were not denatured by perchlorethylene. The effect of dry cleaning resulted from physical washing out of dust and allergens.
authors.affiliation: Département des Maladies Respiratoires, Sainte-Marguerite, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vandenhove
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soler
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Birnbaum
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Charpin
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vervloet
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001512:Bedding and Linens; D004391:Dust; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D007846:Laundering; D008925:Mites; D011852:Radioallergosorbent Test; D013750:Tetrachloroethylene
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D004391:Dust; D013750:Tetrachloroethylene