MEASURING DOMESTIC ALLERGENS EXPOSURE - A MAJOR GOAL IN ALLERGIC-ASTHMA

Domestic allergens, such as mite and cat allergens, are a leading caus e of allergic asthma. Allergen exposure is a risk factor for sensitiza tion. Allergens also play a major role in the development of inflammat ion and non specific bronchial hyperreactivity as well as in the appar ition and modulation of symptomatic asthma. The development of new mea ns of detecting allergens (i.e. immunochemical assays including monocl onal antibodies, quantitative and semiquantitative guanine measurement s for mite allergens) has made possible to identify allergens sources and reservoirs. The form in which domestic allergens become airborne i s important. The group I and II allergens from mites, the major cockro ach allergens are carried on large particles (mean size > 10 mu m diam eter); in contrast, the major cat allergens are airborne on small part icles (40 % < 5 mu m). Guanine, a metabolic excretion product of mites , is used as a marker for mite feces and is correlated with the presen ce of major allergens from mites. A colorimetric method (Acarex-Test(R )) provides a simple and inexpensive method of assaying indoor mite al lergen exposure for both doctor and patient alike. By using Acarex-Tes t(R) it is possible to evaluate the mite allergen exposure for a popul ation in a particular country. The detection of allergens sources and reservoirs, the quantification of domestic allergens has enabled the e valuation of the effect of a reduction in allergen exposure to be bett er assessed. Recognition of the risks, environmental control and reduc tion in allergen loads, should be among the objectives of asthma manag ement.