Home Microbiome and Childhood Asthma in Low Income Rural Homes

摘要

The influence of the home microbiome on the development and severity of childhood asthma is currently under scrutiny. In this study, bacterial and fungal assemblages recovered from heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) filters in 60 rural homes are being analysed to evaluate their relationship with asthma severity. Findings to date suggest that more than 20% of the bacteria recovered from the filter dust were human associated and that the presence of childhood asthma may be associated with higher bacterial diversity in HVAC filter dust. However, association with fungal diversity has not been found with the results available to date.