Predisposing factors in laboratory animal allergy: a study of atopy and environmental factors.
A population of 101 laboratory technicians handling laboratory animals was studied with regard to predisposing factors for allergy. Twenty-seven had symptoms indicating laboratory animal allergy (LAA); of these, nine had asthma and were skin prick test positive for animal allergens. The LAA asthmatics had an increased frequency of a family history of allergy (relative risk, RR = 3.8); the predictive value was 0.27. There was also an increase of skin prick positivity against common nonanimal allergens (RR = 15); the predictive value was 0.60. All persons with marked positive skin prick tests (greater than or equal to +2) to environmental allergens had developed animal-test-positive LAA asthma. In 56% of the LAA asthma cases the serum IgE levels were elevated (greater than 100kU/L). In preemployment screening of susceptible individuals two important selection criteria emerged, viz., family history of allergy and positive skin prick reactions against environmental allergens.
Swedish Foundation for Occupational Health and Safety for State Employees, Occupational Health Service, Lund University.
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Sjöstedt
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Willers
D000485:Allergens; D000818:Animals; D000830:Animals, Laboratory; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D007753:Laboratories; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D012882:Skin Tests
D000485:Allergens