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Mice are more dangerous than cockroaches when it comes to asthma prevention.

Researchers noted that previous findings were inconsistent in determining whether mice or cockroach infections were more harmful for asthma patients. However, the latest study reveals that the mice infestation is a significantly stronger predictor of asthma-related emergency department visits in young children than cockroach infestation.

Researchers collected blood samples from 49 children under the age of 4 who were living in the Bronx, New York. Researchers then conducted skin prick and blood testing to determine allergic response.

The latest study revealed that children who were found to be allergic mice appeared to have experienced at least one asthma-related emergency department visit in the prior 12 months compared to children not allergic to mice. Allergy to roach - based on either testing method - did not predict asthma-related emergency department visits in the prior 12 months. Researchers concluded that the findings suggest that mice infestations are more accurate than roach infestations when predicting allergy flares.

The latest findings will be presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting in Atlanta, November 6-10.