Mouse allergen exposure and mouse skin test sensitivity in suburban, middle-class children with asthma.
BACKGROUND
Exposure to mouse allergen is prevalent in inner-city homes and is associated with an increased risk of mouse skin test sensitivity in inner-city children with asthma.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the distribution of mouse allergen and its relationship to mouse skin test sensitivity in a primarily suburban, middle-class population of asthmatic children.


METHODS
Children with asthma, 6 to 17 years old, were recruited from 3 pediatric practices located in counties surrounding the city of Baltimore and from 1 practice located within the city limits. Participants underwent skin prick testing and completed a baseline questionnaire. Their homes were inspected, and settled dust samples were collected for allergen analysis.


RESULTS
Two hundred fifty-seven of 335 (76.7%) participants resided outside the city, and 53.7% had annual incomes >$50,000. Mouse allergen was detected in 74.9% of bedrooms, and 13.1% were sensitized to mouse. Lower maternal education (odds ratio [OR], 2.17; 95% CI, 1.28-3.67), city residence (OR, 5.39; 95% CI, 2.23-13.02), and higher bedroom cockroach allergen levels (OR, 9.61; 95% CI, 1.17-79.03) were independent predictors of high bedroom mouse allergen. The risk of mouse skin test sensitivity increased with increasing bedroom Mus m 1 exposure (OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.04-1.96, with each increase in quartile), and dog skin test sensitivity was a strong independent predictor of mouse skin test sensitivity (OR, 7.23; 95% CI, 3.03-17.22).


CONCLUSIONS
Mouse allergen exposure is common among suburban, middle-class asthmatic children. Increasing bedroom levels of Mus m 1 and dog skin test sensitivity are risk factors for mouse skin test sensitivity.
Matsui
Elizabeth C
EC
Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins Hospital, CMSC 1102, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. ematsui@jhmi.edu
Wood
Robert A
RA
Rand
Cynthia
C
Kanchanaraksa
Sukon
S
Swartz
Lee
L
Eggleston
Peyton A
PA
D000293:Adolescent; D000485:Allergens / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D015142:Baltimore; D002415:Cats; D002648:Child; D003058:Cockroaches / Q000276:immunology; D004285:Dogs; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice / Q000276:immunology*; D008925:Mites / Q000276:immunology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012882:Skin Tests; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D018881:Suburban Health
D000485:Allergens