| 1. |
- Hyvarinen, Anne, et al.
(författare)
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Characterizing microbial exposure with ergosterol, 3-hydroxy fatty acids, and viable microbes in house dust: Determinants and association with childhood asthma
- 2006
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Ingår i: Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health. - 1933-8244. ; 61:4, s. 149-157
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The authors assessed determinants of ergosterol, 3-OH fatty acids (FAs), and viable microbes in vacuum cleaner dust, and investioated the association between these microbial markets and childhood asthma. The authors studied the homes of 36 children who were new cases of childhood asthma and the homes of 36 controls. Home characteristics explained 34% to 44% of the variation in levels of different microbial groups. Determinants of 3-OH FAs were a lower level of cleanliness, having a fireplace, having livestock, and moisture damage; determinants of viable bacteria were the level of home repair needed and the material used in the building frame of the home. Ergosterol was associated with the presence of livestock and the practice of cleaning rugs outside; viable fungi was associated with the material used in the building frame, visible mold, and the practice of cleaning rugs Outside. Exposure to mesophilic actinonnycetes was nonsignificantly associated with risk of asthma. The authors Concluded that the variation of microbial levels in dust could be explained relatively well by home characteristics, and suggested that exposure to mesophilic actinomycetes may increase the risk of new asthma.
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| 2. |
- Lampi, Jussi, et al.
(författare)
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Determinants of stimulated peripheral blood cytokine production among farming women
- 2011
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Ingår i: International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health. - : Elsevier BV. - 1618-131X .- 1438-4639. ; 214:3, s. 205-209
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Farming environment and environmental exposure to microbial agents have been suggested to promote favorable development of immune system in children and protect against allergic diseases. However, effects of farm exposure on adult immune responses are less clear. Aim of the present study was to examine associations of farm related factors and measured microbial exposure with stimulated production of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in peripheral blood samples among farming women. Whole peripheral blood samples were obtained from 112 women living on farms and stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate/ionomycin, lipopolysaccharide and staphylococcal enterotoxin B. Following 24 h stimulation, protein levels of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in the supernatants were measured by ELISA. From house dust, concentrations of 3-hydroxy fatty acids (C10:0-C14:0, marker for Gram-negative bacteria), muramic acid (Gram-positive bacteria) and ergosterol (fungal biomass) were analyzed with GC-MS/MS and viable microbes by culturing. Information on farm related factors and allergic diseases were collected from self-administered questionnaires. We found that household pets or other current or childhood farm-related factors had only few associations with stimulated cytokine production among studied farming women. Similarly, no strong associations were observed between markers of microbial exposure measured in house dust and cytokine levels. Atopic sensitization, allergic rhinitis and recent respiratory infections were, however, associated with reduced IFN-gamma production. Our results suggest that the capacity of the studied environmental factors to modulate immune system is relatively weak in adulthood. (C) 2011 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
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