Risk factors associated with airway allergic diseases from exposure to laboratory animal allergens among veterinarians.
OBJECTIVE
Investigate the risk factors for the development of occupational airway allergy (OAA) from exposure to laboratory animal allergens (LAA) among Polish veterinarians.


METHODS
Two hundred veterinarians responded to the questionnaire and were subjected to skin prick test (SPT) to common allergens and LAA (rat, mouse, hamster, guinea pig, rabbit). Evaluation of total serum IgE level and specific IgE against occupational allergens was performed. In addition, bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) were measured before and after specific challenge testing (SCT) only in the subjects with work-related symptoms suggestive of occupational asthma (OA).


RESULTS
The prevalence of asthmatic and ocular symptoms was statistically more prevalent in the group of veterinarians sensitised to LAA versus non-sensitised subjects. The most frequent occupational allergens of skin and serum reactivity were LAA (44.5 and 31.5%, respectively). In 41 (20.5%) and in 22 (11%) subjects out of 200 veterinarians, serum specific IgE to natural rubber latex (NRL) allergens and disinfectants was also found. Serum sensitisation to cat allergens and daily contact with laboratory animals (LA) increased the risk for developing isolated occupational rhinitis. Furthermore, working time of more than 10 years and daily contact with LA were also significant risk factors for the development of OAA. Measuring PEFR and BHR before and after SCT is a useful method to confirm the presence of OA.


CONCLUSIONS
Allergy to LAA is an important health problem among veterinary medicine practitioners in Poland.
Krakowiak
Anna
A
Department of Occupational Diseases, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, 8 Teresy Street, 91-348 Lodz, Poland. annakrak@imp.lodz.pl
Wiszniewska
Marta
M
Krawczyk
Patrycja
P
Szulc
Bogdan
B
Wittczak
Tomasz
T
Walusiak
Jolanta
J
Pałczynski
Cezary
C
D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens; D000818:Animals; D000830:Animals, Laboratory; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011044:Poland; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D018634:Veterinarians
D000485:Allergens