title: Aerodynamic properties of the major dog allergen Can f 1: distribution in homes, concentration, and particle size of allergen in the air.
abstract: Exposure and sensitization to dog allergen is a significant cause of asthma. In this study we investigated the distribution, aerodynamic characteristics, and particle-size distribution of the major dog allergen Can f 1. Dust samples were collected in 50 homes with a dog and 50 homes without dogs. Airborne Can f 1 concentration was measured in 28 homes with dogs and 36 homes without a dog. Particle-size distribution was determined by using 10 separate Andersen sampler measurements in a dog-handling facility, and in 10 homes with dogs, and by repeated measurements in a home with one dog. High levels of Can f 1 (> 10 microg/g) were found in dust in all but one home with a dog and in eight of 50 homes without dogs. Airborne Can f 1 levels varied greatly between the homes with dogs (range: 0.3 to 99 ng/m3). Low levels of airborne Can f 1 (range: 0.4 to 1.1 ng/m3) were detected in 11 of 36 homes without a dog. Can f 1 was predominantly associated with large particles collected on the first stage of the Andersen sampler (> 9 microm), which averaged 42 to 49% of the total allergen recovered in the dog-handling facility and in homes with dogs. Small particles (< 5 microm diameter) also carried Can f 1, and these particles comprised approximately 20% of the total airborne allergen load. There was an excellent concordance between the results obtained in different sampling areas, and between the total Can f 1 recovered on the Andersen sampler and on the parallel filter. In conclusion, airborne Can f 1 was detectable in undisturbed conditions in all homes with dogs and in almost one third of the homes without dogs. In houses with dogs, a significant proportion (approximately 20%) of airborne Can f 1 was associated with small particles (< 5 microm diameter). Owing to their aerodynamic characteristics, these particles would be expected to remain airborne for a long period and, when inhaled, could penetrate into the lower airways and initiate asthma attacks.
authors.affiliation: North West Lung Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Custovic
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fletcher
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Pickering
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Woodcock
mesh_terms: D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis*; D000485:Allergens / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D004285:Dogs; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006798:Housing; D010316:Particle Size
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D004391:Dust; C091462:allergen Can f I