Traffic exposure and allergic sensitization against latex in children - 04/09/11
Abstract |
Background: Latex antigens have been found in urban air samples and in debris deposited near freeways. Objective: We investigated whether exposure to road traffic in a large city is associated with allergic sensitization against latex in children. Methods: A population-based sample of 2505 children aged 5 to 11 years was examined in a cross-sectional study in the city of Dresden, Germany. Specific IgE levels against latex and a panel of common aeroallergens (timothy grass, rye, birch, mugwort, Cladosporium herbarum, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, cat dander, and dog dander) was determined by using a fluorescence immunoassay (CAP Pharmacia). Traffic exposure was assessed by (1) parental self-report on traffic frequency and truck traffic in the street of residence, (2) traffic counts, and (3) measurements of benzene at 182 points on a 1-km2 grid for 1 year, which were used to estimate the children’s individual exposure at the home address. Results: Eight hundred fifty-four (34.1%) of the children were sensitized against any of the allergens, and 150 (6.0%) had specific IgE (>0.35 kU/L) against latex. The prevalence of latex sensitization was not positively associated with self-reported traffic exposure, traffic counts in the street of residence (adjusted prevalence odds ratio for >5000 vs ≤5000 cars/d, 0.7; 95% confidence interval, 0.4-1.3), or benzene exposure (adjusted prevalence odds ratio for an increase of 1 μg/m3 air, 0.8; 95% confidence interval, 0.7-1.05). Conclusion: The data suggest that exposure to road traffic is not associated with allergic sensitization to latex in children. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2000;106:573-8.)
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Keywords : Traffic, road dust, rubber tires, wheels, latex particles, allergic sensitization, children, International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood
Abbreviations : SPT:
Plan
The cross-sectional study was supported by the German Ministry of Education, Science, Research, and Technology, and the emission monitoring program was supported by the European Union project “Phare.” |
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Reprint requests: Thomas Hirsch, MD, Kinderklinik im Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus der Technischen Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr 74, D-01307 Dresden, Germany. |
Vol 106 - N° 3
P. 573-578 - septembre 2000 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
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