CAT AND DOG ALLERGY AND TOTAL IGE AS RISK-FACTORS OF LABORATORY-ANIMAL ALLERGY

Background: Laboratory animal workers are at high risk of developing o ccupational allergy. In many cases the severity of allergy symptoms ma kes further work with laboratory animals impossible. Objective: This s tudy was designed to estimate prevalence rates of sensitization and sy mptoms of allergy in a population of laboratory animal workers and to determine the association between various host factors and these preva lence rates. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was undertaken in 540 w orkers at eight facilities in the Netherlands. All participants comple ted a questionnaire and underwent skin prick testing with common and o ccupational allergens. In addition total and specific IgE measurements were obtained. Results: Prevalence rates of allergy symptoms caused b y working with vats and mice were 19% and 10%, respectively. Symptoms, especially chest tightness, were strongly related to sensitization. R at and mouse allergy, defined as symptoms of allergy accompanied by sp ecific atopic sensitization were highly associated with elevated total IgE, reported adverse reactions, and positive skin prick test respons es to common allergens. This relationship could be explained by a resp onse to cat or dog allergens. Conclusions: Allergy to cats or dogs see med to be an important risk factor for laboratory animal allergy, wher eas allergy to pollen or house dust mite, in the absence of cat and do g allergy, appeared to be insignificant. More conclusive evidence abou t cat and dog allergy preceding laboratory animal allergy can only be provided after analysis of follow-up data.