title: House dust mite and cat allergen levels in domestic dwellings in Christchurch.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To quantify the levels of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergen (Der p I) and Felis domesticus allergen (Fel d I) in domestic dwellings in Christchurch and to assess possible relationships with housing characteristics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Domestic dwellings (n = 93) were randomly selected and housing characteristics documented during the summer of 1994/95. Dust samples were obtained from the floor of the living room (LR) and bedroom (BR) and from the bed by standard vacuuming methods. The predominant mite species were determined and D pteronyssinus and F domesticus levels quantified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  D pteronyssinus was the predominant (95%) species. D pteronyssinus allergen levels [geomean (95% confidence intervals) were 3.5(2.5-4.8) micrograms/g in LR, 10.1(7.5-13.7) micrograms/g in BR and 5.7(4.3-7.6) micrograms/g in the bed. F domesticus allergen levels were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in houses with cats than without cats [median (range) 93.2 (3.3-1227.2) micrograms/g and 2.9 (0.4-214.8) micrograms/g respectively]. Higher LR D pteronyssinus allergen levels were found in houses classified as having high indoor humidity and in houses situated in geographically damp locations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Domestic D pteronyssinus and F domesticus allergen levels in Christchurch are comparable with those found in other climatically similar locations. D pteronyssinus allergen levels are associated with both indoor and outdoor humidity factors.
authors.affiliation: Canterbury Respiratory Research Group, Christchurch School of Medicine.
authors.forename: I R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Henwood
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Koning
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Pike
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: G I
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Town
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D002415:Cats / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D004391:Dust; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D008925:Mites / Q000276:immunology*; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D011897:Random Allocation
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D004391:Dust; D006023:Glycoproteins