Fa. Pitten et al., Reduction of the growth of bacteria, moulds and mites on new mattresses byusing synthetic mattress covers, HAUTARZT, 51(9), 2000, pp. 655-660
Background and Objective. We investigated if the colonisation of new mattre
sses with house dust mites, bacteria,and fungi could be reduced by using sy
nthetic mattress covers as compared to common cotton covers.
Patients/Methods. 84 healthy volunteers were assigned to two groups. Group
A (n=43) received the cotton covers, group B (n=41) the synthetic covers wh
ich were made of a polyester microfaser with a polyurethane surface layer (
Pro-Tex(R), Germed,Schwarzenbek,Germany).
Results. The mite antigen concentration after six months was significantly
lower in group B. Three months after the start of the study counts of bacte
ria and moulds were significantly higher in group A compared to group B
Conclusions. it can be recommended that patients suffering from an allergy
to mites or moulds may reduce their domestic allergen exposure by using the
synthetic mattress covers tested in this study. Since cotton covers a re v
ery likely to become colonised by bacteria and moulds,they must be cleaned
periodically (at feast every 2(nd)-3(d) month).