Effect of a bed covering system in children with asthma and house dust mite hypersensitivity

• Published in: The European respiratory journal Vol. 10; no. 2; pp. 361 - 366
• Main Authors: Frederick, JM, Warner, JO, Jessop, WJ, Enander, I, Warner, JA
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Leeds Eur Respiratory Soc 01.02.1997; Maney
• Subjects: Adolescent; Allergens; Allergic diseases; Animals; Antigens, Dermatophagoides; Asthma - blood; Asthma - physiopathology; Asthma - therapy; Bedding and Linens; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Proteins - analysis; Bronchial Hyperreactivity; Bronchial Provocation Tests; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross-Over Studies; Dust - analysis; Eosinophil Granule Proteins; Eosinophil Peroxidase; Eosinophil-Derived Neurotoxin; Eosinophils; Female; Glycoproteins - analysis; Histamine; Humans; Immunopathology; Inflammation Mediators - analysis; Male; Medical sciences; Mites; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; Peroxidases - analysis; Receptors, Interleukin-2 - blood; Respiratory and ent allergic diseases; Respiratory Hypersensitivity - blood; Respiratory Hypersensitivity - physiopathology; Respiratory Hypersensitivity - therapy; Ribonucleases; Single-Blind Method; Allergy; Mattress; Acari; Obstructive pulmonary disease; Child; Human; Immunopathology; Respiratory disease; Treatment efficiency; Maximum expiratory flow rate; Acaridida; Instrumentation therapy; Exploration; Coverage; Concentration; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus; Asthma; Lung volume; Acariformes; Arachnida; Dust; Treatment; Arthropoda; Pyroglyphidae; Invertebrata; Allergen
• DOI: 10.1183/09031936.97.10020361
• ISSN: 0903-1936

Allergen avoidance is regarded as an important approach to management of atopic asthma. The effect of Intervent bed covering systems on house dust mite (HDM) allergen exposure, asthma symptoms and markers of inflammation was investigated in 31 HDM sensitive asthmatic children. Dust concentrations of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergen 1 (Der p 1) were monitored before and after covering the mattress, duvet and pillow with active and placebo covers for 3 months, in a single-blind, cross-over trial. Twice daily peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), daily symptom scores and treatment schedule were recorded. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness was monitored by histamine challenge (provocative concentration of histamine causing a 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in one second (PC20)), and inflammation by measuring eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), eosinophil protein X (EPX), eosinophil peroxidase (EPO), and soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) in serum. There was a significant reduction in Der p 1 when the mattress, duvet and pillow were covered with the active bedding. There was no significant improvement in symptoms of asthma, PEFR, bronchodilator usage of PC20. Also, ECP, EPX, sIL-2R concentrations did not change for either treatment. EPO concentrations were significantly lower in the active compared to the placebo period. The active bed covers reduced retrievable Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergen 1 (Der p 1) from the bedding, with short term clinical benefit.