AIRWAYS INFLAMMATION AND GLUCAN IN A ROWHOUSE AREA

A study was undertaken in a number of rowhouses, some of which had had previous problems related to dampness and water leakage. The aim of t he study was to assess the relation between exposure to airborne (1--> 3)-beta-D-glucan, a cell-wall substance in molds, and airways inflamma tion. The study involved 75 houses with indoor (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan l evels ranging from 0 to 19 ng/m(3). Of 170 invited tenants, 129 (76%) participated in the study. A questionnaire relating to symptoms was us ed, and measurements were made of lung function and airway responsiven ess. Myeloperoxidase (MPO), eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP), and C -reactive protein (CRP) were measured in serum. Atopy was determined w ith the Phadiatop test. The major findings were a relation between exp osure to (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan and an increased prevalence of atopy, a slightly increased amount of MPO, and a decrease in FEV1 over the num ber of years lived in the house. The results suggests the hypothesis t hat exposure to (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan or molds indoors could be associ ated with signs of a non-specific inflammation.