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ASSESSING ALLERGENICITY OF INDOOR AIR FUNGAL CONTAMINANTS
Citation:
Ward, MDW, M. E. Viana, N. H. HaykalCoates, C B. Copeland, S H. Gavett, AND MJK Selgrade. ASSESSING ALLERGENICITY OF INDOOR AIR FUNGAL CONTAMINANTS. Presented at American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, March 7-12, 2003.
Description:
Assessing Allergenicity of Indoor Air Fungal Contaminants
M D W Ward1, M E Viana2, N Haykal-Coates1, L B Copeland1, S H Gavett1, and MJ K Selgrade1. 1US EPA, ORD, NHEERL, RTP, NC, USA. 2NCSU, CVM, Raleigh, NC, USA.
Rationale: The indoor environment has increased in importance to children?s health with children now spending more than 90% of their time indoors. However, the health effects caused by childhood exposures to indoor molds are complex. Methods: We have assessed the allergic potential of two fungal extracts in a female BALB/c mouse model: 1) the biopesticide Metarhizium anisopliae (MACA) and 2) Stachybotrys chartarum (SCE-1). In a series of studies mice were subjected to 4 aspiration (ASP) exposures to 10 mg of MACA, SCE-1, bovine serum albumin (BSA) (negative control), or HBSS (vehicle control) over a 4-week period. Serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected before (D0), and at 1 (D1) and 3 (D3) days following the final ASP exposure. Additionally, whole-body plethysmography (Buxco) was used to assess pulmonary resistance and bronchoconstriction. Mice were assessed for immediate responses (10 minute baseline and 1 hour following each aspiration exposure) and airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine (D1 and D3). Results: Exposure to both extracts caused increased BALF total protein, LDH, and IL-5 levels (D1). BALF total cell counts as well as neutrophil (D1), eosinophil and lymphocyte (D1-3) counts were elevated. As was serum total IgE. Furthermore, these extracts caused significant increases in Buxco measures compared to both HBSS and BSA. Additionally, 4 IgE-inducing proteins have been identified in MACA. Conclusions: Respiratory exposure to either of these extracts causes responses similar to those observed in human allergic lung disease. (Supported by NCSU/EPA Cooperative Training Agreement CT826512010.) (This abstract does not reflect EPA policy.)