[A study on preventive effects of mite allergens by specially-fabricated futons with anti-mite treatments].
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of specially-fabricated futons (beds) with anti-mite treatments on reductions of mite allergens (Der p.1 and Der f.1) and serum IgE antibodies against Dp (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus), Df (Dermatophagoides farinae) and house dust1. METHODS: The futons made by microfibers (Madoromi: M) and phenolic polymer grafted microfine fibers (Madoromi+ALLER BUSTER: M+A) were used. Three groups of student and nurse subjects were asked to use general woolen cotton futons, and the (M) and (M+A) futons for 11 months, respectively. RESULTS: After the 11 months, the ratios of Der p.1+f.1 allergens in the futons (M) and (M+A) to those in the control futon were 1/3.8 and 1/42.0, respectively, on average. The prevalence of serum IgE antibodies against Dp, Df and house dust1 was found to decrease from 46.7 to 6.7% for the group using the (M+A) futon. CONCLUSION: These results suggested the specially-fabricated futons with anti-mite treatments could effectively reduce mite allergens compared to those made from woolen cotton.