Study: Distribution of peanut protein in the home environment

[Macabre]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23608728

J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2013 Apr 19. pii: S0091-6749(13)00366-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2013.02.035. [Epub ahead of print]

Distribution of peanut protein in the home environment.

Brough HA, Makinson K, Penagos M, Maleki SJ, Cheng H, Douiri A, Stephens AC, Turcanu V, Lack G.

Source
Department of Paediatric Allergy, MRC & Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, Division of Asthma, Allergy and Lung Biology, King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom; Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.

Abstract
BACKGROUND:
To halt the increase in peanut allergy, we must determine how children become sensitized to peanut. High household peanut consumption used as an indirect marker of environmental peanut exposure is associated with the development of peanut allergy.

OBJECTIVE:
We sought to validate a method to quantify environmental peanut exposure, to determine how peanut is transferred into the environment after peanut consumption, and to determine whether environmental peanut persists despite cleaning.

METHODS:
After initial comparative studies among 3 ELISA kits, we validated and used the Veratox polyclonal peanut ELISA to assess peanut protein concentrations in dust and air and on household surfaces, bedding, furnishings, hand wipes, and saliva.

RESULTS:
The Veratox polyclonal peanut ELISA had the best rate of recovery of an independent peanut standard. We demonstrated 100% sensitivity and specificity and a less than 15% coefficient of variation for intra-assay, interassay, and interoperator variability. There was high within-home correlation for peanut protein levels in dust and household surface wipes. Airborne peanut levels were lower than the limit of quantitation for the Veratox polyclonal peanut ELISA in a number of simulated scenarios, except for a brief period directly above peanuts being deshelled. Peanut protein persisted on hands and in saliva 3 hours after peanut consumption. Peanut protein was completely removed from granite tables after cleaning with detergent, and levels were reduced but still present after detergent cleaning of laminate and wooden table surfaces, pillows, and sofa covers.

CONCLUSIONS:
Peanut spread easily around the home and might be resistant to usual cleaning methods. Peanut protein can be transferred into the environment by means of hand transfer and saliva but is unlikely to be aerosolized.

[Macabre]

I think in a couple of weeks we can move this to Research, but it will get more viewings here initially.

[CMdeux]

HOLY crapola.


THIS is really, really, REALLY disturbing from the perspective of a parent who has a kid who is highly contact sensitive:


Peanut protein was completely removed from granite tables after cleaning with detergent, and levels were reduced but still present after detergent cleaning of laminate and wooden table surfaces, pillows, and sofa covers.

Whoahhhhhh.  I mean, sure-- totally makes sense.  More porous surfaces = more cleaning needed to fully remove protein... but what does this indicate for "desks can just be wiped/washed" if the allergen is used in a student's classroom environment??

[Macabre]

Well, the nice thing is that Clorox Wipes are highly effective. 

Persistence of peanut allergen on a table surface

But I see that this just measured one peanut protein, not the one that is thought to be responsible for the worst reactions.