Endotoxin and House Dust Mite Allergen Levels on Synthetic and Buckwheat Pillows.
10.3346/jkms.2004.19.4.505
- Author:
Hae Seon NAM
1
;
Choon Sik PARK
;
Julian CRANE
;
Rob SIEBERS
Author Information
1. Genome Research Center for Allergy and Respiratory Diseases, Soonchunhyang University, Bucheon, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
Pillows;
Buckwheat;
Endotoxins;
House Dust Mite;
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus;
Dermatophagoides farinae;
Asthma;
Atopy
- MeSH:
Allergens/*immunology;
Animals;
Antigens, Dermatophagoides/*immunology;
Asthma/immunology;
*Bedding and Linens;
*Buckwheat;
Dermatophagoides farinae/immunology;
Endotoxins/*immunology;
Humans;
Korea;
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2004;19(4):505-508
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Pillows are known to contain significant levels of indoor allergens and endotoxin, that are of importance to house dust mite sensitized asthmatics. Buckwheat pillows are commonly used in Korea. We studied the levels of the house dust mite allergen, Der f 1, and endotoxin on new synthetic and buckwheat pillows and their accumulation over three months. Endotoxin levels were significantly higher on new buckwheat pillows compared to synthetic pillows; geometric mean levels (95% CI) were 60,950 EU/g (30,270-122,700) and 4,887 EU/g (2,570-9,311) respectively (p<0.001). No Der f 1 was detected on the new pillows. After three months Der f 1 levels were similar on buckwheat and synthetic pillows, geometric mean levels (95% CI) were 1.16 microgram/g (0.02-8.13) and 1.08 microgram/g (0.19-1.68) respectively. These results indicate that buckwheat pillows are a source of very high endotoxin levels that may be of relevance to asthma severity of atopic asthmatics.
