Clinical effects of air cleaners in homes of asthmatic children sensitized to pet allergens.
BACKGROUND
Exposure to cat and dog allergens is very common in the Western World and is a serious cause of asthma in sensitized subjects.


OBJECTIVE
We sought to study the clinical effects of air cleaners in living rooms and bedrooms of asthmatic children sensitized to cat or dog allergens.


METHODS
Twenty asthmatic children sensitized to pet allergens (cat/dog) and with an animal at home participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study in which the effects of air cleaners placed in the living room and bedroom for 3 months were compared with the effects of sham air cleaners. Before and after each study period, lung function, airway hyperresponsiveness (adenosine monophosphate), and peak flow variation were recorded. Cat and dog allergen levels were assessed in the filters of the air cleaners.


RESULTS
After a 3-month intervention with active air cleaners, airway hyperresponsiveness decreased significantly, showing a 1.2 doubling dose increase of PC(20 )adenosine (P =.003). Peak flow amplitude also decreased (P =. 045). Substantial amounts of airborne cat and dog allergen were captured by the air cleaners in living rooms and bedrooms as well. Allergen levels in floor dust were not changed.


CONCLUSIONS
In young asthmatic patients sensitized and exposed to pets in the home, application of air cleaners in living rooms and bedrooms was accompanied by a significant improvement in airway hyperresponsiveness and a decrease in peak flow amplitude.
van der Heide
S
S
Department of Allergology, Clinic for Internal Medicine, Beatrix Children's Hospital from the University Hospital Groningen, Groningen.
van Aalderen
W M
WM
Kauffman
H F
HF
Dubois
A E
AE
de Monchy
J G
JG
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity; D002648:Child; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D047208:Eosinophil-Derived Neurotoxin; D005260:Female; D005374:Filtration; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D008297:Male; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012260:Ribonucleases; D014556:Urine / Q000737:chemistry
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D006023:Glycoproteins; D011506:Proteins; C091462:allergen Can f I; D047208:Eosinophil-Derived Neurotoxin; D012260:Ribonucleases; C059296:Fel d 1 protein, Felis domesticus