Effect of two different types of vacuum cleaners on airborne Fel d 1 levels.
BACKGROUND
Vacuum cleaners may increase the level of airborne allergens by leakage through the cleaners or by disturbance of floor dust by the exhaust air produced.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term effect of vacuum cleaning with two different types of cleaners on airborne cat allergen analyzed by a biologic and by an immunochemical test.


METHODS
Ten homes with cats were cleaned in random order with a 1-week interval by a traditional canister type vacuum cleaner (T) and a semi-stationary vacuum cleaner (S) that conducts the air to the exterior through a valve in the wall. Airborne particles were collected by air sampling for 2 hours and cat allergen, Fel d 1, was quantified biologically by basophil histamine release test (HR test) and immunochemically by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).


RESULTS
Using the S resulted in smaller amounts of airborne cat allergen than the T (mean 2.1 ng/m3 air (range .8 to 12.5) versus 5.2 ng/m3 (1.3 to 13.3), P < .002 measured by ELISA). Results from ELISA and HR test correlated well (r = .91, P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
The use of S with exhaust to the outside of the dwelling gave rise to less airborne low particle size allergen during the cleaning procedure than a T method. The basophil histamine release test could be a valid alternative method to establish allergen content in environmental samples especially in allergen systems with no available monoclonal antibodies.
Rønborg
S M
SM
Allergy Unit, RHIMA 7511, National University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Poulsen
L K
LK
Skov
P S
PS
Mosbech
H
H
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D015549:Basophil Degranulation Test; D002415:Cats / Q000276:immunology*; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004867:Equipment Design; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005374:Filtration; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D006636:Histamine Release; D006794:Household Articles; D006796:Household Work / Q000379:methods*; D011897:Random Allocation
D000393:Air Pollutants; D004391:Dust; D006023:Glycoproteins; C059296:Fel d 1 protein, Felis domesticus