Mite and pet allergen exposure in hotels in Uberlandia, Midwestern Brazil

Mite allergens are involved in airway sensitization and allergic diseases. We evaluated the exposure to house dust-mite (Der p 1 and Der f 1) and pet (Fel d 1 and Can f 1) allergens in hotels in Uberlandia, Midwestern Brazil. A total of 140 dust samples were collected from bedding (n = 98) and carpet (n = 42) of bedrooms in 20 hotels enrolled for this study. Geometric mean (GM) levels of Der f 1 (11.30 mu g/g of dust; 95% Cl: 8.34-15.30 mu g/g) were significantly higher than Der p 1 (0.15 mu g/g of dust; 95% Cl: 0.13-0.18 mu g/g) in bedding dust samples (P < 0.001), regardless of the hotel classes. Der f I levels were Significantly higher in bedding (11.30 mu g/g of dust; 95% Cl: 8.34-15.30 mu g/g) than carpet (6.32 mu g/g of dust; 95% Cl: 4.31-9.26 yg/g) dust samples (P < 0.05). High levels of Der f 1 (> 10 mu g/g of dust) were found in 58%, 76%, and 69% of dust samples from Simple, Economical, and Tourist/Superior hotels, respectively, while GM levels of Fel d 1 (0. 11 mu g/g of dust; 9 5 % Cl: 0.09-0.14 mu g/g) and Can f 1 (0.30 ug/g of dust; 95% Cl: 0.20-0.44 mu g/g) were relatively low. These results indicate that Der f 1 is the predominant allergen in hotels in Uberlandia, especially in bedding dust samples, regardless of the hotel classes and could represent an important risk factor for exacerbation of allergic symptoms in previously mite-sensitized guests.