Predictors of microbial agents in dust and respiratory health in the Ecrhs
File(s)
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Background: Dampness and mould exposure have been repeatedly associated with respiratory health. However,
less is known about the specific agents provoking or arresting health effects in adult populations. We aimed to
assess predictors of microbial agents in mattress dust throughout Europe and to investigate associations between
microbial exposures, home characteristics and respiratory health.
Methods: Seven different fungal and bacterial parameters were assessed in mattress dust from 956 adult ECRHS II
participants in addition to interview based home characteristics. Associations between microbial parameters and
the asthma score and lung function were examined using mixed negative binomial regression and linear mixed
models, respectively.
Results: Indoor dampness and pet keeping were significant predictors for higher microbial agent concentrations in
mattress dust. Current mould and condensation in the bedroom were significantly associated with lung function
decline and current mould at home was positively associated with the asthma score. Higher concentrations of
muramic acid were associated with higher mean ratios of the asthma score (aMR 1.37, 95%CI 1.17-1.61). There was
no evidence for any association between fungal and bacterial components and lung function.
Conclusion: Indoor dampness was associated with microbial levels in mattress dust which in turn was positively
associated with asthma symptoms.
less is known about the specific agents provoking or arresting health effects in adult populations. We aimed to
assess predictors of microbial agents in mattress dust throughout Europe and to investigate associations between
microbial exposures, home characteristics and respiratory health.
Methods: Seven different fungal and bacterial parameters were assessed in mattress dust from 956 adult ECRHS II
participants in addition to interview based home characteristics. Associations between microbial parameters and
the asthma score and lung function were examined using mixed negative binomial regression and linear mixed
models, respectively.
Results: Indoor dampness and pet keeping were significant predictors for higher microbial agent concentrations in
mattress dust. Current mould and condensation in the bedroom were significantly associated with lung function
decline and current mould at home was positively associated with the asthma score. Higher concentrations of
muramic acid were associated with higher mean ratios of the asthma score (aMR 1.37, 95%CI 1.17-1.61). There was
no evidence for any association between fungal and bacterial components and lung function.
Conclusion: Indoor dampness was associated with microbial levels in mattress dust which in turn was positively
associated with asthma symptoms.
Date Issued
2015-05-02
Date Acceptance
2015-04-17
Citation
BMC Pulmonary Medicine, 2015, 15
ISSN
1471-2466
Publisher
BioMed Central
Journal / Book Title
BMC Pulmonary Medicine
Volume
15
Copyright Statement
© 2015 Tischer et al.; licensee BioMed Central. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative
Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and
reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. The Creative Commons Public Domain
Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article,
unless otherwise stated.
Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and
reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. The Creative Commons Public Domain
Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article,
unless otherwise stated.
License URL
Subjects
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Respiratory System
Molds
Fungi
Microbials
Indoor Air
Asthma
Airways
IN-HOUSE DUST
ALLERGIC SENSITIZATION
ASTHMA SYMPTOMS
CAT ALLERGEN
RISK-FACTORS
ENDOTOXIN
EXPOSURE
DETERMINANTS
CHILDHOOD
CHILDREN
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ARTN 48