Exposição a alérgenos de ácaros da poeira domiciliar e de gato em hotéis na cidade de Uberlândia - MG

Abstract

Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus e D. farinae are the most prevalent mite species throughout the world and their allergens are involved in airway sensitization and allergic diseases. The importance of cat allergens has also been demonstrated due to their aerodynamic features. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the exposure to house dust mite (Der p 1 and Der f 1) and cat (Fel d 1) allergens in hotels from Uberlândia, Brazil. Meíhods: One-hundred and forty-nine dust samples were collected from bedding (mattresses and pillows) and carpet of bedrooms in 20 hotels enrolled for the study from July to October 2002. Temperature and relative air humidity were measured at the same moment of dust sampling. Allergen leveis were measured by two-site ELISA. Results: Mean leveis of Der f 1 (11.3 pg/g of dust) were significantly higher than Der p 1 (0.15 pg/g of dust) and Fel d 1 (0.11 pg/g of dust) in bedding dust samples (P < 0.001), regardless of the hotel categories. Der f 1 leveis were significantly higher in bedding (11.3 pg/g of dust) than carpet (6.4 pg/g of dust) dust samples (P < 0.05). Most of the samples showed Der f 1 sensitizing and/or exacerbating of allergic symptoms leveis associated with 26 -31 °C temperatura and 36 - 55% relative humidity, while the presence of air conditioners in bedrooms did not influence in the mite allergen leveis. Conclusion: These results indicate that Der f 1 is the most prevalent allergen in hotels from Uberlândia, especially in bedding dust samples, regardless of the hotel categories. Furthermore, these data could be useful to the knowledge and monitoring of allergen leveis in hotels in order to promote the comfort and well-being of their potentially allergic guests.