ゴキブリ駆除が室内アレルゲンおよびエンドトキシンレベルを低下させる(Cockroach Infestation Linked to Home Allergen, Endotoxin Levels)

2025-10-27

2025-10-24 ノースカロライナ州立大学

ノースカロライナ州立大学の研究チームは、家庭内のゴキブリの侵入規模とアレルゲンおよびエンドトキシン濃度の間に強い関連を発見した。ラリー市の集合住宅を対象に、床・空気中の粉塵を分析したところ、雌ゴキブリの糞由来エンドトキシン量は雄の約2倍で、特に台所で高濃度が検出された。駆除介入を行った家庭では、数か月後にアレルゲンおよびエンドトキシン濃度が著しく減少し、未処理群では高レベルが継続した。研究者は「ゴキブリは家庭内で最も重要なエンドトキシン供給源」と指摘。吸入によりアレルギー反応や喘息悪化を引き起こす可能性があるという。今後、アレルゲンとエンドトキシンの相互作用が喘息に与える影響を動物モデルで検証する予定。成果は『Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: Global』誌に掲載された。

<関連情報>

低所得の都市部住宅におけるゴキブリの蔓延に関連する室内アレルゲンとエンドトキシン Indoor allergens and endotoxins in relation to cockroach infestations in low-income urban homes

Madhavi L. Kakumanu MS, PhD, Zachary C. DeVries MS, PhD, Richard G. Santangelo BS, Jeffrey Siegel MS, PhD, Coby Schal PhD
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: Global Available online: 26 September 2025
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacig.2025.100571

Graphical abstract

Background

Cockroach allergens are well recognized as important risk factors in the development and prevalence of allergic rhinitis and asthma in children, especially in low-income urban households. The German cockroach gut hosts a diverse community of highly abundant microbes, including gram-negative bacteria that shed large amounts of endotoxins in cockroach feces.

Objective

We sought to delineate the causal relationship between the presence of cockroaches in homes and levels of household endotoxins.

Methods

In laboratory assays, we measured the amount of endotoxin produced by cockroaches. In-home monitoring estimated the size of the cockroach population in each home and quantified cockroach allergen Bla g 2 and endotoxin levels in household dust and on heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) filters. An environmental intervention was implemented in a subset of the infested homes to eliminate cockroaches. Bla g 2 and endotoxin levels were quantified for 6 months after the intervention.

Results

Large amounts of endotoxin are excreted by female (2900 endotoxin units [EU]/mg feces) and male (1400 EU/mg) cockroaches. At baseline, household dust and HVAC filters in infested homes had significantly higher levels of allergen (Bla g 2) and endotoxin than uninfested homes. Environmental intervention resulted in significant declines in cockroaches as well as allergen and endotoxin levels. In contrast, cockroach numbers and allergen and endotoxin concentrations remained high in infested-control homes.