Mouse and cockroach exposure in rural Arkansas Delta region homes.
BACKGROUND
Home characteristics and aeroallergen exposure in rural US children with asthma are poorly described.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between cockroach and mouse allergen concentrations and home characteristics of children with asthma in the rural Arkansas Delta.


METHODS
The home environments of rural children with asthma were examined using home environment questionnaire and home inspection. Bedroom and kitchen dust was analyzed for cockroach and mouse allergen concentrations.


RESULTS
The median age of participants was 9 years, and 84% were African American. Most participants (78%) resided in single-family homes. Evidence of cockroaches was detected in 13% of homes and evidence of rodents was detected in 23% of homes. Detectable Bla g 1 was found in 58% of kitchens and 43% of bedrooms, Bla g 2 was detected in 37% of kitchens and 28% of bedrooms, and Mus m 1 was found in 81% of kitchens and 97% of bedrooms. Evidence of cockroaches in any room was associated with Bla g 1 concentrations of ≥2 U/g (odds ratio 21.71, 95% confidence interval 4.26-118.39) and Bla g 2 concentrations of ≥2 U/g (odds ratio 21.90 95% confidence interval 4.30-138.91). Multifamily vs single-family dwellings were more likely to have Bla g 2 concentrations of ≥2 U/g (odds ratio 3.52, 95% confidence interval 1.0-11.82). Home characteristics were not associated with Mus m 1.


CONCLUSIONS
Mouse and cockroach allergens were detected in most rural homes; however, concentrations were relatively low compared with those previously reported in inner-city homes. Few home characteristics predicted allergen concentrations. Further studies are needed to establish clinically relevant associations that might place rural children with asthma at risk for poor clinical outcomes.


BACKGROUND
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00590304.
Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas.
Amaziah T
AT
Coleman
Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas; Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute, Little Rock, Arkansas.
Mallikarjuna
M
Rettiganti
Division of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.
Shasha
S
Bai
Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas.
Rita H
RH
Brown
Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas; Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute, Little Rock, Arkansas. Electronic address: perrytamarat@uams.edu.
Tamara T
TT
Perry
D001741:Black or African American; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000818:Animals; D001131:Arkansas; D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D003058:Cockroaches / Q000276:immunology*; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D012424:Rural Population; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D044465:White People
D000485:Allergens; D004391:Dust; C518791:Mus m 1 allergen, Mus musculus; C105482:allergen Bla g 1; D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases; C094699:allergen Bla g 2