Cockroach exposure linked to asthma

A new study has found that children who had a high rate of asthma were twice as likely to have antibodies combating cockroach protein in their blood, indicating an allergy to the bug. John Krouse, chair of otolaryngology at Temple's School of Medicine, says this situation requires aggressive treatment. "Cockroaches have been shown to be a very potent antigen to stimulate both upper airway allergies and asthma. And in the last few years, we are recognizing the increasing role of mouse and rat allergies," he said.

KYW News Radio | June 18, 2011