Nonoccupationally induced allergy to monkey.
BACKGROUND
A previous study described 2 patients with occupationally induced asthma caused by exposure to monkey. We describe a patient who developed asthma, rhinitis, and conjunctivitis owing to sensitivity to a pet monkey. The patient had a long history of upper and lower allergic airway disease. When 2 pet macaque monkeys were introduced into the home, the patient noticed increasing coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. During a particularly long exposure to the monkey in a car, the patient developed severe wheezing, rhinitis, and conjunctival edema.


OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate that a nonoccupational exposure to monkey can lead to allergic sensitivity.


METHODS
Commercially obtained macaque monkey hair was defatted in acetone and extracted. A total of 5 microg/mL of extract protein was adsorbed onto microtiter plates, and an alkaline phosphatase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed on serum samples from 4 individuals: 2 controls, 1 individual with suspected sensitivity, and the patient. A positive result was an optical density greater than twice that of the control.


RESULTS
The patient's serum had an optical density greater than twice that of the control. The antibody levels of 2 control subjects-the patient's wife and one of the investigators-were elevated but not positive. The investigator had manifested asthma after exposure.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first report of sensitivity to monkey occurring in a nonoccupational setting.
Passer
Cori C
CC
Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63104, USA.
Hutcheson
Patricia S
PS
Slavin
Raymond G
RG
D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic / Q000276:immunology*; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008251:Macaca / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000209:etiology
D007073:Immunoglobulin E