Prevalence and host determinants of occupational bronchial asthma in animal shelter workers.
OBJECTIVE
We examined the risk factors for the development of airway allergy in animal shelter workers.


METHODS
The study population comprised 88 animal shelter workers occupationally exposed to cats and dogs. They responded to a questionnaire concerning the history of exposure to animal allergens and job characteristics and were subjected to skin prick test (SPT) to common and occupational allergens (cat and dog), and determination of total serum IgE level and specific IgE. In addition, SPT with rat and mouse allergens were performed. Bronchial hyperreactivity and peak expiratory flow rate were measured at work and off work only in workers with work-related symptoms suggestive of occupational asthma (OA).


RESULTS
The prevalence of OA was 9.1%. Sensitization to dog allergens was higher than to cats. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed a significant role of positive family history of atopy and having a dog as pet in the past for the development of occupational airway allergy (OR 5.9; 95% CI 1.76, 20.00; P = 0.003; OR 6.47; 95% CI 1.90, 22.02; P = 0.002, respectively). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the risk for developing OA was most clearly associated with growing up in the country (OR 7.59; 95% CI 1.25, 45.9; P = 0.025).


CONCLUSIONS
Allergic disease is a serious occupational health concern for subjects who have occupational contact with cats and dogs.
Krakowiak
Anna
A
Department of Occupational Diseases, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, 8 Teresy St., 91-348, Lodz, Poland. annakrak@imp.lodz.pl
Krawczyk
Patrycja
P
Szulc
Bogdan
B
Wiszniewska
Marta
M
Kowalczyk
Monika
M
Walusiak
Jolanta
J
Pałczyński
Cezary
C
D000328:Adult; D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires