title: Allergic rhinitis in laboratory animal workers and its risk factors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The workers in an animal laboratory are exposed to laboratory animal allergens (LAAs).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the difference of sensitization to LAAs and the symptoms according to the exposure levels and to investigate the risk factors for sensitization to LAAs.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subjects were divided into 3 groups according to the presence or absence of exposure: 74 subjects were in the direct exposure group, 33 subjects were in the indirect exposure group, and 30 subjects were in the control group. Each group answered the questionnaire and underwent skin prick tests that included 10 common allergens and 10 LAAs. The levels of total IgE and specific IgE to mouse and rat urine allergen were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 2 exposure groups. Allergic symptoms, skin sensitization, and serum IgE level were compared between the study groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-five (34%) of the 74 subjects in the direct exposure group experienced allergic symptoms since their exposure to laboratory animals. The subjects in the direct and indirect exposure groups had more sensitization to LAAs than did the control subjects. The direct exposure group had more positive results for total IgE than did the indirect exposure group. The subjects in the direct exposure group with atopy had more severe allergic symptoms than the subjects in the indirect exposure group with atopy. Atopy and total IgE level were risk factors for the sensitization to LAAs for the direct exposure group (odds ratios, 7.47 and 7.33, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Indirect exposure may be as risky for sensitization to LAAs as direct exposure. More careful protection is needed for laboratory animal workers with atopy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong Hun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Dae Woo
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Si Whan
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Dong-Young
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Won Keun
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Seong
authors.forename: Tae Jong
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Son
authors.forename: Chae-Seo
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Rhee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D032761:Animal Experimentation; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D017056:Medical Laboratory Personnel; D051379:Mice; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012882:Skin Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E