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Endotoxin predictors and associated respiratory outcomes differ with climate regions in the U.S
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Endotoxin predictors and associated respiratory outcomes differ with climate regions in the U.S

Angelico Mendy, Jesse Wilkerson, Païvi M Salo, Richard D Cohn, Darryl C Zeldin and Peter S Thorne
Environment international, Vol.112, pp.218-226
03/2018
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2017.12.003
PMCID: PMC5899028
PMID: 29277065
url
https://doaj.org/article/aadc7bd3169e4e11bb0b38c786161931View
Open Access

Abstract

Rationale Although endotoxin is a recognized cause of environmental lung disease, how its relationship with respiratory outcomes varies with climate is unknown. Objective To examine the endotoxin predictors as well as endotoxin association with asthma, wheeze, and sensitization to inhalant allergens in various US climate regions. Methods We analyzed data on 6963 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Endotoxin measurements of house dust from bedroom floor and bedding were performed at the University of Iowa. Linear and logistic regression analyses were used to identify endotoxin predictors and assess endotoxin association with health outcomes. Results The overall median house dust endotoxin was 16.2 EU/mg; it was higher in mixed-dry/hot-dry regions (19.7 EU/mg) and lower in mixed-humid/marine areas (14.8 EU/mg). Endotoxin predictors and endotoxin association with health outcomes significantly differed across climate regions. In subarctic/very cold/cold regions, log10-endotoxin was significantly associated with higher prevalence of wheeze outcomes (OR:1.48, 95% CI:1.19–1.85 for any wheeze, OR:1.48, 95% CI:1.22–1.80 for exercise-induced wheeze, OR:1.50, 95% CI:1.13–1.98 for prescription medication for wheeze, and OR:1.95, 95% CI:1.50–2.54 for doctor/ER visit for wheeze). In hot-humid regions, log10-endotoxin was positively associated with any wheeze (OR:1.66, 95% CI:1.04–2.65) and current asthma (OR:1.56, 95% CI:1.11–2.18), but negatively with sensitization to any inhalant allergens (OR:0.83, 95% CI:0.74–0.92). Conclusion Endotoxin predictors and endotoxin association with asthma and wheeze differ across U.S. climate regions. Endotoxin is associated positively with wheeze or asthma in cold and hot-humid regions, but negatively with sensitization to inhalant allergens in hot-humid climates.

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