Seasonal changes in mite allergen (Der I and Der II) concentrations in Japanese homes.
BACKGROUND
There has been no report on seasonal changes in Der II allergen in floor and bedding dust.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the extent of seasonal changes in Der I and Der II allergens in the floor and bedding dust found in houses.


METHODS
We measured the absolute concentrations of mite allergens in dust collected monthly for 1 year from both the floors and bedding of eight houses in Tokyo. Dust samples were obtained from eight families without regard to their allergy histories. The concentrations of the Der p I, Der f I, and Der II allergens were measured by fluorometric sandwich ELISA.


RESULTS
We found seasonal changes in the concentrations of these mite allergens. The highest concentrations of Der I (Der p I plus Der f I) and Der II (Der p II plus Der f II) were present from August to October, and the lowest ones from March to April. In floor dust, the mean highest concentrations of Der I and Der II (35.0 and 20.2 microgram of fine dust) were sevenfold and fivefold respectively, times the mean lowest concentrations. In bedding dust, the mean highest concentrations of Der I and Der II (51.3 and 29.6 microgram/g of fine dust) each were fourfold times the mean lowest concentrations.


CONCLUSIONS
The patterns of seasonal changes in Der II in floor and bedding dust were similar to those of Der I.
Miyazawa
H
H
Department of Public Health, Kyorin University, Tokyo, Japan.
Sakaguchi
M
M
Inouye
S
S
Ikeda
K
K
Honbo
Y
Y
Yasueda
H
H
Shida
T
T
D000485:Allergens / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D001512:Bedding and Linens / Q000009:adverse effects; D004391:Dust / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005430:Floors and Floorcoverings; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008925:Mites / Q000276:immunology*; D012621:Seasons
D000485:Allergens; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D004391:Dust; D006023:Glycoproteins