title: Upper body clothing is a source of fungal beta-(1,3)-glucan exposure.
abstract: Beta-(1,3)-glucan is pro-inflammatory and has been associated with airway inflammation and respiratory symptoms. This study assessed beta-(1,3)-glucan levels from upper body clothing (jerseys) of 55 subjects. Beta-(1,3)-glucan levels were estimated with a modified Limulusamoebocyte lysate kinetic assay. Beta-(1,3)-glucan levels ranged widely from 2,697 to 162,690 ng/g. Beta-(1,3)-glucan levels were significantly lower from cotton jerseys and from warm water washed jerseys. Thus, jerseys are potentially a significant exposure source of beta-(1,3)-glucan.
authors.affiliation: Wellington Asthma Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand. rob.siebers@otago.ac.nz
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Siebers
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hayes
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Crane
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D003020:Clothing; D004391:Dust; D006801:Humans; D008033:Limulus Test; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D004391:Dust; D047071:beta-Glucans