title: Prevalence of the group 1 Dermatophagoides allergens Der p 1 and Der f 1 in homes with no dogs, healthy dogs and Dermatophagoides-sensitized atopic dogs in Liverpool.
abstract: Dermatophagoides farinae is a frequent allergen in canine atopic dermatitis despite its reported scarcity in the UK, and the aim of this study was to determine whether dogs were uniquely exposed to this species. Der f 1 and Der p 1 in dust collected from living room carpets, bedroom carpets and dog beds of 13 houses with no dogs, 13 with healthy dogs, and 16 with Dermatophagoides-sensitized atopic dogs were quantified by ELISA. Der p 1 levels (microg g(-1) house dust) were significantly higher than Der f 1 in living rooms (Der p 1 median = 1.9, 95% CI = 2.05-6.32, n = 42; Der f 1 median = 0.07, 95% CI = 0.01-0.06, n = 42), bedrooms (Der p 1 median = 4.35, SD = 5.52; Der f 1 median = 0.01, 95% CI = 0.001-0.1, n = 42) and dog beds (Der p 1 median = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.4-8.1, n = 29; Der f 1 median = 0.008, 95% CI = 0.01-0.04, n = 29) (P < 0.0001). Living rooms in houses without dogs had significantly greater Der p 1 levels (median = 7.0, 95% CI = 3.53-15.8, n = 13) than houses with healthy (median = 1.19, 95% CI = 0.44-3.49, n = 13) or atopic dogs (median = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.63-2.42, n = 16) (P = 0.0004). Environmental flea control in living rooms and washing dog beds was associated with significantly reduced Der p 1 levels. This confirms that D. pteronyssinus is common but D. farinae is rare in the sampling area. Apparent sensitization to D. farinae is probably due to cross-reaction. A combination of environmental measures could reduce allergen exposure.
authors.affiliation: The University of Liverpool Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, Small Animal Teaching Hospital, Crown Street, Liverpool, L7 7EX, UK.
authors.forename: Eleanor
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Raffan
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lawrence
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Henderson
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Isherwood
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McArdle
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nuttall
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D060829:Arthropod Proteins; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D004285:Dogs; D004391:Dust; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D006799:Housing, Animal; D015995:Prevalence
chemical_list: D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D060829:Arthropod Proteins; D004391:Dust; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; C451159:Dermatophagoides farinae antigen f 1; C451162:Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus antigen p 1