Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 15 2 2016 04 04 132 137 EN Mozhgan Moghtaderi Allergy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran AND Allergy Clinic of Ali-Asghar Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Shirin Farjadian Allergy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran AND Department of Immunology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Mohammad Fereidouni Asthma, Allergy and Immunology Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran Mahboubeh Nasiri Department of Immunology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Arsalan Nejat Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran 2015 10 26 2015 10 26 Exposure to indoor allergens plays an important role in the etiology of asthma. This study was designed to quantify indoor allergens from homes of families that had at least one case of childhood asthma at home in a southwestern city of Iran. The relationship between the indoor allergen levels and home characteristics was also investigated. Dust samples were collected from the bedrooms and the kitchens of 35 homes where children with persistent asthma were living. The levels of indoor allergens were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Detectable amounts of mite, mouse and cockroach allergens were found in all evaluated places. None of our patients were exposed to a threshold concentration of indoor allergen for sensitizing at home. Regarding of mite allergens, the levels of Der f1 were significantly higher than Der p1 and a direct correlation was observed between living in an apartment and Der f1 levels. Moreover, Fel d1 (cat) and Bla g1 (cockroach) allergens were found in the children’s bedrooms more frequently than those in the kitchens. In this study, direct associations were obtained between Bla g1 allergen and the duration of occupancy and between Fel d1 and average home size. A total of 34.2% of the patients showed positive skin reactions to at least one of the tested allergens as 17.1% of them showed reactivity to D. pteronyssinus. Proper controlling of cockroaches and mice by public health officials would be a practical approach to avoid inducing asthma or worsening the symptoms. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/630 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/630/617