A FOLLOW-UP-STUDY OF LABORATORY-ANIMAL EXPOSED WORKERS - THE INFLUENCE OF ATOPY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA

In a 5-year follow-up study of 88 animal exposed laboratory technician s, the incidence of laboratory animal allergy (LAA), lung function, an d the development of allergy test reactivity were investigated. Only t wo individuals developed test positive LAA rhinitis during the follow- up period. Furthermore, one subject who had previously had LAA rhiniti s developed LAA asthma. In the remaining subjects the results of skin prick tests against laboratory animals and environmental allergens, to tal serum IgE levels, and lung function were unchanged. Atopy defined as parental and childhood allergy, raised total serum IgE levels, and positive skin prick tests against nonanimal environmental allergens an d nonlaboratory animals (dog and horse) were risk indicators for devel opment of test positive LAA asthma. The low incidence of LAA during th e 5-year follow-up is interpreted as a result of an early LAA developm ent in atopic subjects. (C) 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.