Sensitization to cat allergens in non-cat owner patients with respiratory allergy.
BACKGROUND
Cats represent one of the most important sources of indoor allergens. The sensitization rate can reach up to 60% in western countries. Keeping cats indoors is uncommon in big cities in Turkey, but cats living in the streets are common.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the prevalence of sensitization to cats in patients with respiratory allergy from Izmir, Turkey, and its relationship to home cat allergen levels.


METHODS
A total of 387 patients (70.8% female; mean age, 34.3 years) with respiratory allergic diseases (rhinitis and/or asthma) were included in this study. Skin prick test to cat was performed. House dust samples were collected from the living room of 25 patients and 14 healthy subjects. The major cat allergen (Fel d 1) levels were measured by Dustscreen. Fel d 1 levels given by the manufacturer were as follows: 0.05, 0.13, 0.40, 1.1, and 6.2 mU/mL.


RESULTS
The prevalence of cat sensitivity was 44.7% (n = 173). Only 6 patients (1.6%) had a history of feeding a cat in their houses. Thirty-six (92%) of 39 houses had detectable levels of cat allergen (mean Fel d 1 level, 2.24 +/- 2.69 mU/mL). The mean Fel d 1 levels were 1.58 +/- 2.51 mU/mL in the healthy group, 1.91 +/- 2.61 mU/mL in the asthmatic group, and 3.26 +/- 2.85 mU/mL in the group with allergic rhinitis (P = 0.12). The prevalence of cat sensitivity in patients who had 1.1 mU/mL of Fel d 1 in their homes was 57.1%. This rate was five times lower (11.1%) in patients who had the highest Fel d 1 level (6.2 mU/mL) in their homes.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of cat sensitivity in Izmir, where cats are generally not kept within homes, is as high as in western countries. The sampled houses have measurable levels of Fel d 1 even in the absence of indoor cats. High prevalence of cat sensitivity in Izmir is probably due to indirect exposure.
Gulbahar
Okan
O
Departament of Internal Medicine, Division of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, 35100 Bornova-Izmir, Turkey. ogulbahar@yahoo.com
Sin
Aytul
A
Mete
Nihal
N
Kokuludag
Ali
A
Kirmaz
Cengiz
C
Sebik
Filiz
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D002415:Cats; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012882:Skin Tests; D014421:Turkey
D000485:Allergens; D006023:Glycoproteins; C059296:Fel d 1 protein, Felis domesticus