title: Endotoxin exposure and symptoms in asthmatic children.
abstract: Endotoxins (ET) are pro-inflammatory substances present in house dust which may increase non-specific bronchial reactivity in asthmatic patients. Endotoxins (EU/g) and Der p 1 levels were compared in the homes of ten asthmatic and ten control children, aged 6-16 years, living in São Paulo, Brazil. The houses were visited once a month from February 1993 to February 1994 and dust samples were collected from the bedding and floor of each subject's house. No significant differences were observed in ET and Der p 1 levels in the homes of asthmatics and controls. The highest ET levels were detected in January and November, whereas the lowest levels were detected in April and August (p < 0.05), demonstrating a distinct seasonal distribution. The highest Der p 1 levels in bedding were observed in July and the lowest in February (p < 0.05), while Der p 1 levels in floor did not show significant differences throughout the year. Symptom and medication scores were evaluated monthly in the group of asthmatic children. There was a significant correlation (p < 0.05, r = 0.63) between clinical symptom scores and ET exposure, however no significant correlation was found for mite exposure (p > 0.05, r = 0.19). The results suggest that ET exposure exacerbates asthmatic symptoms in mite allergic, asthmatic children.
authors.affiliation: Federal University of São Paulo, Paulista School of Medicine, Brazil.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Rizzo
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Naspitz
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fernández-Caldas
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Lockey
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mimiça
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Solé
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D002648:Child; D004391:Dust; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007164:Immunosorbents; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011852:Radioallergosorbent Test / Q000379:methods; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D004391:Dust; D006023:Glycoproteins; D007164:Immunosorbents; D007073:Immunoglobulin E