[Detection of mite allergens in the dust of filter-net and air of air-conditioned room].
OBJECTIVE
To detect mite allergens in the dust of air conditioner filter-net and floating air in room.


METHODS
Samples were collected from rooms of asthma patient and normal families with or without air conditioner. Der p1, Der f1 and Der 2 were determined by two monoclonal antibody-based ELISA.


RESULTS
In asthma patient families, the concentration of airborne Der p1, Der f1 and Der 2 was (0.23 +/- 0.13), (2.62 +/- 1.08), (0.93 +/- 0.41) ng/m3, and (0.56 +/- 0.25), (4.74 +/- 1.22), (2.33 +/- 0.64) ng/m3 respectively before and after the air conditioner switched on, all showing a significant difference (P < 0.05). In families without asthma patient, the concentration of Der p1, Der f1 and Der 2 was (0.33 +/- 0.11), (11.50 +/- 3.08) and (2.10 +/- 0.80) ng/m3, and (0.63 +/- 0.23), (19.80 +/- 4.30) and (3.60 +/- 1.00) ng/m3 respectively before and after the air conditioner switched on, also showing a significant difference (P < 0.05). From the filter-net dust of air conditioner in family with allergic asthma patient, the concentration of Der p1, Der f1 and Der 2 was (0.52 +/- 0.19), (3.34 +/- 0.63), (2.53 +/- 0.65) microg/g dust, while that of normal families was (1.30 +/- 0.35), (5.16 +/- 0.92), (3.47 +/- 1.13) microg/g dust respectively. The concentration of Der f1 and Der 2 at both asthma families and normal families was higher than 2 microg/g, an allergen concentration threshold.


CONCLUSIONS
Mite allergens exist in the filter-net dust of air conditioner, which may be an important source of indoor allergens and a cause of the increasing prevalence of allergic asthma.
Public Health and General Practices College of Guangzhou Medical College, Guangzhou 510182, China.
Yu-yin
YY
Lian
Zhi-gang
ZG
Liu
Hong-yu
HY
Wang
Cheng-yu
CY
Chai
Xiao-yu
XY
Liu
D000389:Air Conditioning; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis*; D000485:Allergens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology; D001512:Bedding and Linens; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005374:Filtration / Q000295:instrumentation; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D008925:Mites / Q000276:immunology*
D000393:Air Pollutants; D000485:Allergens; D004391:Dust