Ac. Egmar et al., CAT AND DOG ALLERGEN IN MATTRESSES AND TEXTILE-COVERED FLOORS OF HOMES WHICH DO OR DO NOT HAVE PETS, EITHER IN THE PAST OR CURRENTLY, Pediatric allergy and immunology, 9(1), 1998, pp. 31-35
The aim of this study was to measure the levels of cat and dog allerge
n in homes of families that had either never kept pets or kept or had
kept cats or dogs. From a small residential area outside Stockholm con
sisting of 250 houses with similar exteriors 70 homes were included. D
ust samples were collected from mattresses and textile-covered floors.
The levels of cat and dog allergen were analysed by ELISA. Fel dl was
found in mattress dust in all 70 homes, median 0.5 mu g/g [0.24-8.89
mu g/g (quartiles)] and textile-covered floors 0.7 mu g/g (0.20-2.52 m
u g/g). Can f1, was found in 98% of the collected samples, mattress du
st 1.89 mu g/g (0.70-9.20 mu g/g) and textile-covered floor dust 2.5 m
u g/g (1.04-2.72 mu g/g). There was a positive correlation (p<0.001) b
etween allergen levels in dust from mattresses and textile-covered flo
ors for both Fel d1 (r=0.68) and Can f1 (r=0.78). The highest levels o
f cat and dog allergen were found in homes with furred pets (p<0.001),
A significant (p<0.001) difference was seen in the levels of Fel d1 a
nd Can f1 between the homes of former pet-owners and homes without pet
s, In summary; cat and dog allergens are present in homes regardless o
f whether such animals live in the house or not. Mattresses seem to be
an underestimated reservoir for pet allergens even in homes without p
ets. It is important to note that the homes of former pet owners have
much lower levels of allergen than current pet owners.