Influence of cat characteristics on Fel d 1 levels in the home.
BACKGROUND
Previous studies investigating cat characteristics and cat allergen production focused on clinical experiments that quantified allergen from either the shaved skin or the fur of the animal; however, these studies did not address these experimental relationships in the home.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the relationships between cat characteristics and cat allergen isolated from household dust.


METHODS
Fel d 1 allergen levels in dust from homes participating in a population-based study of environmental effect on allergy development were analyzed using a standard monoclonal antibody-based assay. Cat characteristics were based on interviews conducted during home visits by study personnel.


RESULTS
Households with any cats had higher geometric mean Fel d 1 levels than households without cats (32.88 vs 0.43; P < .01), and cat allergen levels increased with increasing numbers of cats in the home (P < .01). Length of cat hair, cat sex, reproductive status, and time spent indoors were analyzed; the only characteristic associated with higher levels of Fel d 1 was whether the cat had been neutered or spayed.


CONCLUSIONS
Having cats in the home is significantly associated with increased Fel d 1 levels, and having more cats in the home is correlated with more cat allergen. Cat reproductive characteristics may be associated with measurable differences in cat allergen levels.
Nicholas
Charlotte
C
Department of Biostatistics and Research Epidemiology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan, USA. cnichol4@hfhs.org
Wegienka
Ganesa
G
Havstad
Suzanne
S
Ownby
Dennis
D
Johnson
Christine Cole
CC
D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor; D000485:Allergens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D004391:Dust / Q000276:immunology; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D006197:Hair / Q000276:immunology; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D012727:Sex Characteristics
D000485:Allergens; D004391:Dust; D006023:Glycoproteins; C059296:Fel d 1 protein, Felis domesticus