title: Efficacy of an in-home test kit in reducing dust mite allergen levels: results of a randomized controlled pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dust mite allergens can induce allergic sensitization and exacerbate asthma symptoms. Although dust mite reduction and control strategies exist, few asthmatics employ them.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We examined whether an in-home test kit, which quantifies dust mite allergen levels, resulted in behavioral changes in implementation and maintenance of mite reduction strategies and helped reduce allergen levels in homes of dust mite-sensitive children.
  
  
  METHODS
  We enrolled 60 households of children aged 5-15 with parent-reported dust mite allergy into a randomized controlled trial. Intervention homes (N = 30) received educational material about reducing dust mites and test kits at 1, 2, 5 and 8 months. Control homes (N = 30) received only educational material. At baseline, 6 and 12 months, study staff visited all homes, collected dust samples from three locations and obtained information about parents' mite reduction behaviors by questionnaire. Allergen concentrations (Der f 2/Der p2) in dust were assessed by immunoassays. After adjusting for visit and location, allergen concentrations in intervention and control homes were compared using mixed effects model analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the intervention homes, allergen concentrations in the child's bedroom and living room floors were significantly reduced over time compared to control homes. Although not all location-specific differences in allergen concentrations were statistically significant, combining data across locations, there was a differential reduction in allergen concentrations in the intervention group versus the control group (p = 0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of in-home test kits along with education may beneficially influence behaviors and attitudes toward dust mite reduction strategies and help reduce residential dust mite allergen levels.
authors: a Division of Intramural Research , National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health , Research Triangle Park , NC , USA .
authors: Amber K
authors: AK
authors: Winn
authors: a Division of Intramural Research , National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health , Research Triangle Park , NC , USA .
authors: Päivi M
authors: PM
authors: Salo
authors: b Abt Associates , Atlanta , GA , USA .
authors: Cynthia
authors: C
authors: Klein
authors: c Rho, Inc. , Chapel Hill , NC , USA , and.
authors: Michelle L
authors: ML
authors: Sever
authors: d Social & Scientific Systems, Inc. , Durham , NC , USA.
authors: Shawn F
authors: SF
authors: Harris
authors: d Social & Scientific Systems, Inc. , Durham , NC , USA.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Johndrow
authors: d Social & Scientific Systems, Inc. , Durham , NC , USA.
authors: Patrick W
authors: PW
authors: Crockett
authors: d Social & Scientific Systems, Inc. , Durham , NC , USA.
authors: Richard D
authors: RD
authors: Cohn
authors: a Division of Intramural Research , National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health , Research Triangle Park , NC , USA .
authors: Darryl C
authors: DC
authors: Zeldin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000485:Allergens / Q000032:analysis*; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides / Q000032:analysis*; D060829:Arthropod Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases / Q000032:analysis*; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006266:Health Education; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D010865:Pilot Projects
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D060829:Arthropod Proteins; C451160:Dermatophagoides farinae antigen f 2; D004391:Dust; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; C451159:Dermatophagoides farinae antigen f 1
keywords: D. farinae; D. pteronyssinus; Dust mites; dust mite allergen; indoor allergens; intervention trials