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Updated: Jan 1, 2026
A Reversible, Non-invasive Method for Airway Resistance Measurements and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Sampling in Mice
Published on: April 13, 2010
Reduction in mouse allergen exposure is associated with greater lung function growth
Torie Grant1, Wanda Phipatanakul2, Matthew Perzanowski3
1Division of Pediatric Allergy/Immunology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md.
Background:
Current childhood asthma therapies have little effect on lung function trajectory.
Objective:
We sought to determine whether mouse allergen exposure reduction is associated with lung function growth in mouse-sensitized/exposed asthmatic children.
Methods:
Three hundred fifty mouse-sensitized/exposed asthmatic children (5-17 years old) were enrolled in a 1-year randomized trial of integrated pest management plus education versus education alone. Prebronchodilator/postbronchodilator spirometry was performed at baseline and 6 and 12 months, and bedroom floor mouse allergen levels were measured every 3 months. Mouse allergen reduction was defined as a 75% or greater decrease in mouse allergen levels from baseline. Treatment groups were combined for analyses because there were no differences in outcomes between groups. Changes in lung function over time were modeled, adjusting for age, sex, race, atopy, group, and bronchodilator reversibility and including an interaction term (allergen reduction*time).
Results:
The study population was predominantly black (79.4%) and low income (66.3% [<$30,000]). At baseline, the median mouse allergen level was 5.7 μg/g (interquartile range, 1.5-22.8 μg/g), and the mean (SD) prebronchodilator FEV1/forced vital capacity ratio was 80.2% (9.0%). Ninety-two (26.3%) participants had 75% or greater reduction in mouse allergen levels. For a 10-year-old black boy, 75% or greater allergen reduction was associated with an increase in prebronchodilator FEV1 of 238 mL/y (95% CI, 177-299 mL/y), whereas less than 75% allergen reduction was associated with an increase in prebronchodilator FEV1 of 131 mL/y (95% CI, 97-166 mL/y). Estimated differences in prebronchodilator and postbronchodilator FEV1 growth were as follows: 107 mL/y (95% CI, 37-177 mL/y; Pint = .003) and 48 mL/y (95% CI, -17 to 113 mL/y; Pint = .15), respectively. Estimated differences in prebronchodilator and postbronchodilator forced expiratory flow at 25% to 75% of vital capacity growth were as follows: 182 mL/y (95% CI, 61-304 mL/y; Pint = .003) and 181 mL/y (95% CI, 48-314 mL/y; Pint = .008), respectively.
Conclusion:
Mouse allergen reduction is associated with greater increases in prebronchodilator FEV1 and prebronchodilator/postbronchodilator forced expiratory flow at 25% to 75% of vital capacity over 1 year among sensitized/exposed asthmatic children.
Insights
Reducing mouse allergen exposure significantly improves lung function growth in children with asthma. This finding offers a new therapeutic avenue for managing childhood asthma effectively.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Environmental Health
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Current treatments for childhood asthma have limited impact on lung function trajectory.
- There is a need for effective strategies to improve lung function in asthmatic children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if reducing mouse allergen exposure is linked to improved lung function growth in children with asthma.
- To investigate the association between environmental allergen reduction and respiratory health outcomes in pediatric asthma patients.
Main Methods:
- A 1-year randomized trial involving 350 mouse-sensitized/exposed asthmatic children (ages 5-17).
- Participants received either integrated pest management plus education or education alone.
- Lung function was measured via spirometry, and mouse allergen levels were monitored throughout the study.
Main Results:
- A 75% or greater reduction in mouse allergen levels was achieved by 26.3% of participants.
- Greater allergen reduction was associated with significant increases in prebronchodilator FEV1 (107 mL/y) and prebronchodilator/postbronchodilator forced expiratory flow (182 mL/y and 181 mL/y).
- These improvements in lung function were observed over the 1-year study period.
Conclusions:
- Reducing mouse allergen exposure is associated with enhanced lung function growth in children with asthma.
- Environmental allergen control represents a promising strategy for improving respiratory outcomes in pediatric asthma.
