Diversity of allergen exposure: implications for the efficacy of environmental control.
The prevalence of allergic diseases such as asthma, rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis and atopic dermatitis has increased in the last decades. The relationship between allergen exposure, atopic sensitization and development of allergic diseases is widely described in the literature.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate measures for reducing allergen exposure as part of the treatment of allergic diseases.


METHODS
An analysis was made of previous studies on allergen exposure done with a similar methodology in the central region of Brazil; the study included homes, hotels, cinemas, cars, taxis, buses and scholar transportation.


RESULTS
High levels of Der p 1 and Der f 1 mite allergens were found in a large proportion of the sample in most of the environments included in those studies; there were higher levels of pet allergens in cars and school transportation vehicles.


CONCLUSIONS
The diversity of allergen exposure demonstrates the need for education about allergic diseases for patients and their families, as well as measures of reducing allergens in homes. This should be part of a global strategy of the management of allergic diseases, given that individuals live in society, not only in their houses.
Segundo
Gesmar Rodrigues Silva
GR
Programa de Imunologia e Parasitologia Aplicadas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia.
Sopelete
Mônica Camargo
MC
Terra
Sílvia Azevedo
SA
Pereira
Fernando Lourenço
FL
Justino
Caroline Morais
CM
Silva
Deise Aparecida de Oliveira
DA
Taketomi
Ernesto Akio
EA
D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000485:Allergens / Q000032:analysis*; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides / Q000032:analysis; D060829:Arthropod Proteins; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D001938:Brazil; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control
D000485:Allergens; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D060829:Arthropod Proteins; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; C451159:Dermatophagoides farinae antigen f 1; C451162:Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus antigen p 1