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Mite and pet allergen exposure in hotels in Uberlândia, Midwestern Brazil
E C Simplício1, D A O Silva, I A Braga
1Laboratory of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Biomedical Science Institute, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
Unlabelled:
Mite allergens are involved in airway sensitization and allergic diseases. We evaluated the exposure to house dust-mite (Der p 1 and Der f 1) and pet (Fel d 1 and Can f 1) allergens in hotels in Uberlândia, Midwestern Brazil. A total of 140 dust samples were collected from bedding (n = 98) and carpet (n = 42) of bedrooms in 20 hotels enrolled for this study. Geometric mean (GM) levels of Der f 1 (11.30 microg/g of dust; 95% CI: 8.34-15.30 microg/g) were significantly higher than Der p 1 (0.15 microg/g of dust; 95% CI: 0.13-0.18 microg/g) in bedding dust samples (P < 0.001), regardless of the hotel classes. Der f 1 levels were significantly higher in bedding (11.30 microg/g of dust; 95% CI: 8.34-15.30 microg/g) than carpet (6.32 microg/g of dust; 95% CI: 4.31-9.26 microg/g) dust samples (P < 0.05). High levels of Der f 1 (>10 microg/g of dust) were found in 58%, 76%, and 69% of dust samples from Simple, Economical, and Tourist/Superior hotels, respectively, while GM levels of Fel d 1 (0.11 microg/g of dust; 95% CI: 0.09-0.14 microg/g) and Can f 1 (0.30 microg/g of dust; 95% CI: 0.20-0.44 microg/g) were relatively low. These results indicate that Der f 1 is the predominant allergen in hotels in Uberlândia, especially in bedding dust samples, regardless of the hotel classes and could represent an important risk factor for exacerbation of allergic symptoms in previously mite-sensitized guests.
Practical Implications:
Mites and pets are important sources of indoor allergens. Most people spend the greatest part of their time indoors. Hotels can constitute an important allergen reservoir of the indoor environment and could represent an important risk for exacerbation of allergic symptoms in previously sensitized guests. Thus, hotels should also be included for planning indoor allergen avoidance as part of a global management strategy, especially in patients with respiratory allergy.
Insights
House dust mite allergens, particularly Der f 1, are prevalent in Uberlândia hotels, especially in bedding. These high allergen levels pose a risk for guests with respiratory allergies.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Allergy and Immunology
- Public Health
Background:
- Mite allergens are significant triggers for airway sensitization and allergic diseases.
- Indoor environments, including hotels, can act as reservoirs for common allergens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify exposure to house dust mite (Der p 1, Der f 1) and pet (Fel d 1, Can f 1) allergens in hotel dust samples.
- To identify the predominant allergen and its location within hotel rooms in Uberlândia, Brazil.
Main Methods:
- Collected 140 dust samples from bedding and carpets in 20 hotels.
- Measured allergen levels using established immunological methods.
- Analyzed allergen concentrations in relation to hotel class and sample type (bedding vs. carpet).
Main Results:
- Der f 1 was the predominant mite allergen, with significantly higher levels in bedding (11.30 µg/g) compared to carpets (6.32 µg/g).
- High Der f 1 levels (>10 µg/g) were found in a majority of samples across all hotel classes.
- Pet allergen levels (Fel d 1, Can f 1) were relatively low.
Conclusions:
- Hotels in Uberlândia exhibit high levels of Der f 1, posing a significant risk for guests with mite sensitization.
- Hotel environments should be considered in allergen avoidance strategies for individuals with respiratory allergies.
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