Are cats and dogs the major source of endotoxin in homes?

ABSTRACT:

Unlabelled

Previous studies have suggested that exposure to cats and dogs during early childhood reduces the risk of allergic disease, possibly by increasing home endotoxin exposure. This study asked the question of whether cats and dogs are the dominant influence on dust endotoxin concentrations in homes after considering other variables reportedly associated with endotoxin. The presence of cats or dogs in homes, household and home characteristics, and dust endotoxin concentrations from 5 locations were assessed in 966 urban and suburban homes. Whether considered together as pets or as cats and dogs separately, the presence of cats and dogs significantly contributed to living room and bedroom floor endotoxin concentrations, but not to bed endotoxin concentrations. However, the two

SUBMITTER: Ownby DR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4005287 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature