Allergic rhinitis in laboratory animal workers and its risk factors.
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.
Jang
Jeong Hun
JH
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Kim
Dae Woo
DW
Kim
Si Whan
SW
Kim
Dong-Young
DY
Seong
Won Keun
WK
Son
Tae Jong
TJ
Rhee
Chae-Seo
CS
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
D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E