Occupational allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma to goat and cross-reactivity with cow epithelium.
BACKGROUND
The development of sensitization and symptoms after the inhalation of epithelial allergens is common.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the allergic response (in vivo and in vitro) of 3 individuals clinically sensitive and occupationally exposed to cow and goat and to evaluate the allergenic cross-reactivity between cow and goat epithelium extracts.


METHODS
Three patients--a butcher and 2 doctors in veterinary medicine--were evaluated. These patients reported allergic respiratory symptoms after occupational exposure to goats and cows. Extracts were prepared from epithelia of both animals. All the patients underwent organ-specific allergen challenges with cow and goat extracts. Four nasal and 2 bronchial challenges were conducted following standardized procedures.


RESULTS
All 3 patients had positive challenge results with the offending allergen extract. Specific IgE to goat allergens was detected in all patients. Several IgE-binding bands were detected. Inhibition assays (enzyme allergosorbent test and immunoblots) confirmed moderate-to-high cross-reactivity between goat and cow extracts.


CONCLUSIONS
We confirm clinical sensitivity and specific IgE binding to goat and cow allergens in occupationally exposed individuals. There was good correlation among the clinical history, exposure, and the laboratory findings.
Ferrer
Angel
A
Allergy Department, Hospital de la Vega Baja, Orihuela, Alicante, Spain. aferrert@meditex.es
Carnés
Jerónimo
J
Marco
F M
FM
Andréu
Carmen
C
Fernández-Caldas
Enrique
E