House dust mite and cat allergen levels in domestic dwellings in Christchurch.
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.
Martin
I R
IR
Canterbury Respiratory Research Group, Christchurch School of Medicine.
Henwood
J L
JL
Wilson
F
F
Koning
M M
MM
Pike
A J
AJ
Smith
S
S
Town
G I
GI
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
D000485:Allergens; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D004391:Dust; D006023:Glycoproteins