Allergen‐avoidance measures in homes of house‐dust‐mite‐allergic asthmatic patients: effects of acaricides and mattress encasings

This double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study investigated whether the application of an acaricide (Acarosan®) on mattresses and on textile floor coverings in living rooms and bedrooms can contribute to improvement in lung function and airway hyperresponsiveness in 40 adult asthmatic patients sensitiz...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Allergy (Copenhagen) 1997-09, Vol.52 (9), p.921-927
Main Authors: Heide, S., Kauffman, H. F., Dubois, A. E. J., Monchy, J. G. R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
acaricides
Adult
airway hyperresponsiveness
allergen avoidance
Allergens
Allergic diseases
Animals
asthma
Asthma - prevention & control
Bedding and Linens
Beds
Benzoates
Biological and medical sciences
Bronchial Provocation Tests
Double-Blind Method
Dust
Female
Floors and Floorcoverings
house‐dust mites
Humans
Hypersensitivity - prevention & control
Immunopathology
Insecticides
Male
mattress encasings
Medical sciences
Mites
Respiratory and ent allergic diseases
Spirometry
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Summary:This double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study investigated whether the application of an acaricide (Acarosan®) on mattresses and on textile floor coverings in living rooms and bedrooms can contribute to improvement in lung function and airway hyperresponsiveness in 40 adult asthmatic patients sensitized to house‐dust mite. In a second group of 19 patients who refused chemical intervention, the clinical effects of application of allergen‐impermeable mattress encasings were studied. In all three treatment groups, Der p 1 levels in mattress dust were statistically significantly decreased after 12 months. However, this decrease was much greater in the group who received mattress encasings (final mean level 430 ng/g) than in groups with acaricide‐ or placebo‐treated mattresses (final mean levels 1730 and 2100 ng/g, respectively). Treatment of textile floors with either Acarosan or placebo chemical caused a statistically significant decrease in the level of the house‐dust‐mite allergen Der p 1 in floor dust. In the group with mattress encasings, no significant changes of floor dust Der p 1 were found. Airway hyperresponsiveness (as measured by the PC20 histamine) improved significantly in the mattress cover group after 6 months. The Acarosan group also showed a small but statistically significant improvement after 12 months.
ISSN:0105-4538
1398-9995
DOI:10.1111/j.1398-9995.1997.tb01252.x