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Domestic allergen and endotoxin exposure and allergic sensitization in Cyprus
Nicolaos Nicolaou1, Panayotis Yiallouros, Spyros Pipis
1Paediatric Respiratory Research Unit, Hospital Archbishop Makarios III, Nicosia, Cyprus. nnicolaou@fs1.with.man.ac.uk
Insights
This study found that male gender, maternal allergy history, and increased endotoxin exposure are linked to allergic sensitization in Cypriot children. Mite allergen exposure was associated with mite sensitization, but pet allergens were not linked to pet sensitization.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Allergology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Allergic sensitization is a growing health concern in children.
- Understanding the role of domestic environmental factors like allergens and endotoxins is crucial for prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between domestic allergen and endotoxin exposure and allergic sensitization in children in Cyprus.
- To identify specific risk factors for allergic sensitization, including mite, cat, and dog allergens, and endotoxin exposure.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 128 children (aged 15-16) in Cyprus, including those with asthma and healthy controls.
- Skin prick testing was performed, and domestic exposure to endotoxin and allergens (mite, cat, dog) was measured.
- Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent associates of allergic sensitization, adjusting for potential confounders.
Main Results:
- 19% of children were sensitized to mites, 15% to cats, and 7% to dogs.
- Independent associates of allergic sensitization included male gender, maternal history of allergic disease, increasing endotoxin exposure, and residence in Nicosia.
- Mite sensitization was linked to Der p 1 and endotoxin exposure, and urban living. Pet sensitization was associated with paternal allergic disease, not pet ownership or allergen exposure.
Conclusions:
- Mite allergen exposure is associated with mite sensitization, but cat and dog allergen exposure are not linked to sensitization to these pets.
- Increasing endotoxin exposure was surprisingly associated with an increased risk of allergic sensitization in this population.
- Environmental and genetic factors play a significant role in the development of allergic sensitization in children.
Abstract:
We investigated the relationship between domestic allergen and endotoxin exposure and allergic sensitization among children in Cyprus. We skin prick tested 128 children aged 15-16 yr (random samples of 85 children with self-reported asthma and 43 healthy controls) and measured their domestic exposure to endotoxin and allergens (mite, cat, and dog). We analyzed the data using multivariate logistic regression (adjusting for gender, area of residence and parental history) and presented the outcomes as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Among this selected population, 19% of children were sensitized to mite, 15% to cat and 7% to dog. Male gender (OR 2.74, 95% CI 1.18-6.38, p = 0.02), maternal history of allergic disease (OR 3.53, 95% CI 1.13-11.00, p = 0.03), increasing endotoxin (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.00-2.49, p = 0.05) and residence in the district of Nicosia (OR 2.48, 95% CI 1.01-6.08, p = 0.05) were independent associates of allergic sensitization. Factors associated with mite sensitization were increasing Der p 1 and endotoxin exposure (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.01-1.62, p = 0.04 and OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.01-3.08, p = 0.05, respectively) and living in an urban area (OR 6.80, 95% CI 1.37-33.67, p = 0.02). Sensitization to domestic pets was associated only with paternal allergic disease (cat: OR 5.68, 95% CI 1.57-23.56, p = 0.02; dog: OR 13.5, 95% CI 1.79-101.73, p = 0.01), but not with pet ownership or specific allergen or endotoxin exposure. In conclusion, mite allergen exposure was associated with sensitization to mite, but there was no association between cat and dog allergen exposure and specific sensitizations. Surprisingly, in this area, increasing endotoxin exposure was associated with an increased risk of sensitization.
