Allergy to laboratory animals in children of parents occupationally exposed to mice, rats and hamsters

Sensitization to laboratory animals (LA) has a high prevalence among labora tory workers. It is unknown whether transportation of LA allergens can be a risk factor for sensitization of subjects outside the laboratory environme nt. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of sensitization to LA among children whose parents were and were not occupationally expose d to LA. The first group consisted of 50 children (age 12.3+/-4.3 yrs) whose parents were occupationally exposed to mice, rats and hamsters. The second group c onsisted of 40 children (age (mean+/-SD) 10.8+/-3.0 Srs) whose parents were not occupationally exposed to LA. Children having LA at home were eliminat ed from the study All children responded to a questionnaire, underwent spir ometry and were also tested with skin prick tests with the use of common al lergens and prick tests with hair extracts from mouse, hamster and rat. Tot al immunoglobulin (Ig)E levels and the presence of specific IgE against LA were also estimated. Children of parents occupationally exposed to LA presented significantly mo re positive skin prick tests against allergens from the hair of laboratory animals compared to children of nonexposed parents. Five children from the first group were also found to have specific IgE against LA, with three of these five children complaining of rhinitis and cough while visiting their parents' workplace. It is concluded that the observed increased sensitization to laboratory ani mals among children of occupationally exposed parents could be the result o f poor hygienic conditions at their parents' workplace. Hence, parents' job seems to be an additional risk factor of sensitization and should be taken into consideration when recording an allergic history.