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Endotoxin, ergosterol, muramic acid, and fungal DNA measured in school dust against rhinitis reports

Norbäck D, Hashim JH, Markowicz P, Cai G-H, Hashim Z, Ali F, Larsson L (2016) · Science of the Total Environment 545–546:95–103

In classroom dust, specific molecular species of endotoxin were reported in association with rhinitis while total endotoxin showed an inverse association.

What they studied

Dust sampling in classrooms, analyzed for endotoxin by chain length, ergosterol, muramic acid, and fungal DNA.

Questionnaire assessment of rhinitis and sick building syndrome symptoms among students.

Statistical association between each measured marker and the reported outcomes.

What they found

C14 3-hydroxy endotoxin was reported in association with rhinitis symptoms.

Total endotoxin was reported with an inverse association to the same outcomes.

The authors reported that different endotoxin molecular species showed different directions of association.

What it does not establish

Cross-sectional; symptoms were self-reported.

Dust markers are proxies for inhalation exposure.

Opposing associations complicate interpretation and are not explained by the study design.

This entry reports the study. It is not a statement about any building Sage Co. designs or constructs.

Source

  • Norbäck D, Hashim JH, Markowicz P, Cai G-H, Hashim Z, Ali F, Larsson L (2016). Endotoxin, ergosterol, muramic acid and fungal DNA in dust from schools in Johor Bahru, Malaysia — associations with rhinitis and sick building syndrome (SBS) in junior high school students · Science of the Total Environment 545–546:95–103 · Read at the source

Last reviewed August 30, 2026.

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