PREVALENCE OF IGE ALLERGY TO RESPIRATORY ALLERGENS IN DAIRY FARMERS IN THE DOUBS (FRANCE)

The Doubs is a damp, semi-mountainous fodder farming department in whi ch occupational respiratory diseases (including asthma) are common in farmers. We studied the prevalence of IgE-mediated allergy (total IgE, Phadiatop and skin prick tests) in a group of 265 exclusive dairy far mers of both sexes of the department and in a control group of non exp osed, administrative workers living in the same area. Skin prick tests were: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Acarus sire, cat hair, cow dand ers, grass pollens, betullacea pollens (trees from the East of France) , and hay extracts from the Doubs, Total IgE were higher than 180 KUI/ l in 26 (9.9%) farmers and in 15 (10.5%) controls (NS). Phadiatop was positive in 41 (15.7%) farmers and in 27 (19%) controls (NS). Prevalen ce of positive skin prick tests (al least one) in farmers and controls was respectively 36% and 40% (NS). Farmers were more frequently sensi tized to hay extracts (OR = 1.7), cow danders (OR = 1.3) and less freq uently to cat hair (OR = 0.63) than controls but the differences were not statistically significant. In conclusion, this study fails to give evidence of a risk of IgE-mediated allergy to work-related and other common inhalation allergens in dairy farmers of the Doubs.