Major Dermatophagoides mite allergen, Der 1, in soft toys.
BACKGROUND
Allergen avoidance is recommended when treating atopic asthma.


OBJECTIVE
Soft toys are often kept in close proximity to children and may serve as a source of exposure. Due to the potential danger from the mite allergen content of these toys, Der 1 from toys was measured.


METHODS
We quantified the level of Der 1 (Der p 1 + Der f 1) in both 30 new and 174 old soft toys (weight 216 +/- 2.5 g, height 26.5 +/- 3.4 cm), as well as in washed and in vacuumed soft toys. Dust was collected using an electric vacuum cleaner. Der 1 was measured by monoclonal antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (MoAb-ELISA).


RESULTS
In brand new toys Der 1 was 0.1 microgram/g of dust, and in toys used for 1 year, 9.0; 2 year, 22.2; 3 year, 18.9; and more than 4 year, 22.7 micrograms/g of dust. Der 1 in new toys was measured every 4 months for 1 year. Der 1 rapidly increased 10- to 20-fold in the first 4 months, but there was no clear seasonal change. In toys washed using a chemical detergent or cleaned using a vacuum cleaner, there was a stastistically significant (P < 0.001) decrease in Der 1 in the washed group, but not in the vacuumed group.


CONCLUSIONS
These results confirm that mite allergens accumulate rapidly in toys to form a potentially important source of allergens and that washing toys with a chemical detergent is effective in the reduction of allergens.
Nagakura
T
T
Department of Pediatrics, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Yasueda
H
H
Obata
T
T
Kanmuri
M
M
Masaki
T
T
Ihara
N
N
Maekawa
K
K
D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis*; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D010988:Play and Playthings; D013997:Time Factors
D000485:Allergens; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D006023:Glycoproteins