Research from Harvard University, Department of Environmental Health altenaria

[Guest guest]

From Harvard:

" Sensitivity to Alternaria allergens has been associated with severe asthma

and life-threatening exacerbations, and a high prevalence of Alternaria

sensitivity has been reported among inner-city populations. "

From s Hopkins:

" While allergic responses to inhaling mold are a recognized factor in lower

airway disease such as asthma, studies show that outdoor mold is more likely

to cause problems for asthmatics than mold found indoors. "

" The link between mold and allergies is even weaker, the experts say.

Current research doesn’t provide a persuasive case that exposure to mold in

the

outdoor air plays a role in allergies, and studies linking indoor molds to upper

airway allergy are even less compelling. "

Maybe someone should call s Hopkins and tell them that they are wrong!

But who would that be that could make a difference? There is no government

oversight for university propaganda.

ALLERGIES IMMUNOLOGY; Research from Harvard University, Department of

Environmental Health in the area of allergies immunology described Life

Science

Weekly

May 20, 2008

Copyright 2008 Life Science Weekly via NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net

A report, 'Alternaria measures in inner-city, low-income housing by

immunoassay and culture-based analysis,' is newly published data in ls of

Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. " Sensitivity to Alternaria allergens has been

associated with severe asthma and life-threatening exacerbations, and a high

prevalence of Alternaria sensitivity has been reported among inner-city

populations.

Traditionally, epidemiologic studies have measured indoor Alternaria

concentrations by cultural analyses; however, the number of viable spores may

not be

a good proxy for allergen levels, " researchers in the United States report

(see also Allergies Immunology).

" Furthermore, other genera share epitopes with Alternaria that may contribute

to the allergenic effect. To compare measures of Alternaria antigen by

enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with measures of Alternaria and cross-reactive

genera (Ulocladium, Curvularia, Epicoccum, and Stemphylium) by cultural

analysis. Antigen assays and cultural analyses were performed on

vacuum-collected

bed dust samples collected between June 18, 2002, and February 9, 2004, from

3 inner-city, low-income public housing developments. Alternaria antigen was

found in all bed dust samples regardless of season. However, culturable

Alternaria, Ulocladium, Curvularia, Epicoccum, and Stemphylium were only found

in

50%, 35%, 6%, 11%, and 0% of bed samples, respectively. No correlations were

found between Alternaria antigen and culturable concentrations of Alternaria

or of its cross-reactive genera except for marginal correlation with

Ulocladium culturable concentrations, " wrote J.L. s and colleagues,

Harvard

University, Department of Environmental Health.

The researchers concluded: " The results confirm that exposure to Alternaria

antigens and allergens can occur even in the absence of culturable Alternaria

or its cross-reactive genera, so further refinement and use of assays are

essential for characterizing the distribution and determinants of indoor fungal

allergen levels forsensitive populations. "

s and colleagues published their study in ls of Allergy, Asthma &

Immunology (Alternaria measures in inner-city, low-income housing by

immunoassay and culture-based analysis. ls of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology,

2008;100(4):364-9).

For additional information, contact J.L. s, Harvard School of Public

Health, Dept. of Environmental Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02215 USA..

Publisher contact information for the journal ls of Allergy, Asthma &

Immunology is: American College Allergy Asthma Immunology, 85 West Algonquin Rd.

Suite 550, Arlington HTS, IL 60005, USA.

Keywords: United States, Boston, Allergies Immunology, Allergen, Allergies,

Allergy Medicine, Asthma, Environmental Health, Immunoassay, Immunology.

This article was prepared by Life Science Weekly editors from staff and other

reports. Copyright 2008, Life Science Weekly via NewsRx.com.

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