title: Exposure to Indoor Allergens in Different Residential Settings and Its Influence on IgE Sensitization in a Geographically Confined Austrian Cohort.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Exposure to indoor allergens is crucial for IgE sensitization and development of allergic symptoms. Residential settings influence the allergen amount in house dust and hence allergic sensitization. Within this study, we investigated allergen exposure and molecule-based IgE levels in a geographically confined region and evaluated the impact of housing, pets and cleaning.
  
  
  METHODS
  501 adolescents from Salzburg, Austria participated in this cross-sectional study. House dust samples were examined regarding major mite, cat, dog, and mold allergens using a multiplex assay. Serum samples of participants were analyzed for specific IgE to Der p 1, Der p 2, Fel d 1, Can f 1 and Alt a 1 using the multiplex array ImmunoCAP ISAC. Information on allergies, living areas, dwelling form (house, flat, farm), pets, and household cleanliness were obtained by a questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In investigated house dust samples, the concentration of cat allergen was highest while the prevalence of mold allergens was very low. Participants showed IgE sensitization to Der p 1 (13.2%), Der p 2 (18.2%), Fel d 1 (14.4%), Can f 1 (2.4%) and Alt a 1 (2.0%). In alpine regions, lower mite allergen concentrations were detected which correlated with reduced IgE levels. A trend for increased sensitization prevalence from rural to alpine to urban regions was noted. Living on farms resulted in lower sensitization prevalence to mite and cat allergens, even though exposure to mites was significantly elevated. The presence of cats was associated with a lower sensitization rate and IgE levels to cat and mite allergens, and less frequent allergic diseases. Cleaning did not impact allergen concentrations, while IgE reactivity to mites and allergic diseases were more pronounced when living in cleaner homes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Allergen exposure to indoor allergens was influenced by setting of homes. Living in a farm environment and having a cat at home showed a protective effect for IgE sensitization and allergies. This cross-sectional study in combination with hereditary and lifestyle factors enables development of risk schemes for a more efficient management and potential prevention of allergic diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stemeseder
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
authors.forename: Bettina
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schweidler
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematics, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Doppler
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Klinglmayr
authors.affiliation: School of Education, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.|TUM School of Education, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moser
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.|Biomedical Sciences, Salzburg University of Applied Sciences, Puch/Salzburg, Austria.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lueftenegger
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Himly
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematics, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
authors.forename: Joerg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zumbach
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Sciences, Salzburg University of Applied Sciences, Puch/Salzburg, Austria.
authors.forename: Gertie J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Oostingh
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hawranek
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematics, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
authors.forename: Arne C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Bathke
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4886-417X
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gadermaier
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides / Q000276:immunology; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000276:immunology; D060829:Arthropod Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D001317:Austria / Q000453:epidemiology; D002415:Cats; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases / Q000276:immunology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005658:Fungi; D005843:Geography; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008925:Mites; D057805:Pets; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C474845:ALTB1 protein, Alternaria brassicicola; D000485:Allergens; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D060829:Arthropod Proteins; C451163:Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus antigen p 2; D006023:Glycoproteins; C091462:allergen Can f I; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; C451162:Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus antigen p 1; C059296:Fel d 1 protein, Felis domesticus