TY - JOUR
KW - ASTHMA
KW - allergy
KW - ventilation
KW - Humidity
KW - house dust mites
KW - Der p 1
AU - Jill A. Warner
AU - Jeanette M. Frederick
AU - Trevor N. Bryant
AU - Christine Weich
AU - Gary J. Raw
AU - Colin Hunter
AU - Frank R. Stephen
AU - Donald A. McIntyre
AU - John O. Warner
AB - Background: The relationship between exposure to house dust mite (HDM) allergens and prevalence of sensitization to these allergens in patients with asthma has been confirmed in many studies. Mite population growth is regulated by humidity. Reducing humidity and removing allergen by efficient vacuuming should control mite allergen and reduce symptoms. Objective: We sought to investigate the effect of mechanical ventilation and high-efficiency vacuuming on HDM numbers and Der p 1 concentrations in the homes of mite-sensitive asthmatic subjects and to evaluate the effect of any reductions on symptoms. Methods: The homes of 40 HDM-sensitive asthmatic subjects were randomized to receive (1) mechanical ventilation and a high-efficiency vacuum cleaner (HEVC); (2) mechanical ventilation alone; (3) an HEVC alone; and (4) no intervention. Homes and patients were monitored for 12 months. Change in absolute humidity, mite numbers, Der p 1 concentrations, lung function, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and symptom scores were analyzed. Results: Homes with mechanical ventilation achieved significantly lower humidity levels than those without (P < .001), with an associated reduction of mite numbers (P < .05) and Der p 1 concentrations (P < .001 [in nanograms per gram
BT - Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
DO - 10.1016/S0091-6749(00)90181-7
N2 - Background: The relationship between exposure to house dust mite (HDM) allergens and prevalence of sensitization to these allergens in patients with asthma has been confirmed in many studies. Mite population growth is regulated by humidity. Reducing humidity and removing allergen by efficient vacuuming should control mite allergen and reduce symptoms. Objective: We sought to investigate the effect of mechanical ventilation and high-efficiency vacuuming on HDM numbers and Der p 1 concentrations in the homes of mite-sensitive asthmatic subjects and to evaluate the effect of any reductions on symptoms. Methods: The homes of 40 HDM-sensitive asthmatic subjects were randomized to receive (1) mechanical ventilation and a high-efficiency vacuum cleaner (HEVC); (2) mechanical ventilation alone; (3) an HEVC alone; and (4) no intervention. Homes and patients were monitored for 12 months. Change in absolute humidity, mite numbers, Der p 1 concentrations, lung function, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and symptom scores were analyzed. Results: Homes with mechanical ventilation achieved significantly lower humidity levels than those without (P < .001), with an associated reduction of mite numbers (P < .05) and Der p 1 concentrations (P < .001 [in nanograms per gram
PY - 2000
SP - 75 
EP -  82
T2 - Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
TI - Mechanical ventilation and high-efficiency vacuum cleaning: A combined strategy of mite and mite allergen reduction in the control of mite-sensitive asthma
UR - http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091674900901817
VL - 105
SN - 0091-6749
ER -