title: Household characteristics and allergen and endotoxin levels in Aleppo, Syrian Arab Republic.
abstract: Few data are available from Eastern Mediterranean countries about levels of domestic allergens and endotoxins. Dust samples were collected from mattresses and floors of 457 homes in the Syrian city of Aleppo and analysed for antigens and endotoxins. The most important predictors for detectable levels of house-dust mite allergen Der p 1 were Arabic-style houses (OR 3.21) and newer houses (OR 1.56). In homes without cats, rubber mattresses were associated with detectable cat allergen Fel d 1 in mattress dust (OR 1.6). Cockroach allergen Bla g 2 was significantly more likely to be detected in houses over 20 years old than newer houses. Endotoxin levels were significantly higher in wool/cotton mattresses and older houses.
authors.affiliation: North West Lung Research Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom. walid1970uk@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Al Ali
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Custovic
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khoury
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Woodcock
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides / Q000032:analysis*; D060829:Arthropod Proteins; D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases / Q000032:analysis*; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D001513:Beds / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002415:Cats; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D032561:Cotton Fiber; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis*; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005430:Floors and Floorcoverings / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D006798:Housing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D012408:Rubber; D013593:Syria / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014935:Wool
chemical_list: D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D060829:Arthropod Proteins; D004391:Dust; D004731:Endotoxins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D012408:Rubber; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; C451162:Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus antigen p 1; D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases; C094699:allergen Bla g 2; C059296:Fel d 1 protein, Felis domesticus