title: Beta-(1,3)-glucan levels and its determinants in New Zealand bedrooms.
abstract: Beta-(1,3)-glucan is a pro-inflammatory component of the fungal cell wall, indoor levels of which have only been considered in a few studies. This study assessed levels of beta-(1,3)-glucan in 35 domestic bedrooms. beta-(1,3)-glucan levels were estimated using a modified Limulus amoebocyte lysate kinetic assay. beta-(1,3)-glucan geometric mean levels (95% confidence interval) were 163.9 microg/g (129.5-209.3) from bedroom floors; 76,6 microg/g (61.4-94.0) from mattresses; 132.1 microg/g (68.9-207.9) from duvets; and 110.0 microg/g (82.2-146.4) from pillows. Synthetic bedding and older mattresses contained higher beta-(1,3)-glucan levels. Synthetic bedding contains higher levels of beta-(1,3)-glucan than feather bedding, which may be of importance to asthmatics.
authors.affiliation: Wellington Asthma Research Group, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heyes
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Siebers
authors.forename: Adrienne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parkes
authors.forename: Neville
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pierse
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Crane
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D001513:Beds; D005430:Floors and Floorcoverings; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D009520:New Zealand; D011509:Proteoglycans; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D011509:Proteoglycans; D047071:beta-Glucans; C010770:polysaccharide-K