title: Sensitization to rodents (mouse/rat) in urban atopic populations without occupational exposure living in Campania district (Southern Italy): a multicenter study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Up to now very few data on allergic sensitization to rodent allergens in Western Europe and Italy are available, and there are no information at district level.The aim of this report was to investigate clinical significance and characteristics of allergic sensitization to mouse/rat (M/Rt) allergens in atopic subjects living in Campania district (Southern Italy).
  
  
  METHODS
  Allergists from the whole Campania district were required to report the results of skin prick tests of at least 100 consecutive subjects. In 1,477 consecutive outpatients, we selected all subjects with an immediate skin reaction to M/Rt dander. Clinical history including a careful evaluation of the modality of exposure and the results of skin-prick tests (SPTs) were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty seven patients were sensitized to M/Rt dander (5.78%). Two patients were mono-sensitized. Fourteen patients reported indoor conditions suggesting presence of rodents allergens at home. All patients exhibited low-moderate degree of SPT positivity to M/Rt. High frequency of concomitant allergic sensitization to dust mites was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that the role of allergic sensitization to rodents is not negligible in atopic subjects without occupational exposure living in Campania district area; these values are higher in comparison to those previously found in Naples area. Highly atopic individuals should be tested by SPTs/evaluation of serum specific IgE to rodents in the case they should begin an occupational exposure to M/Rt or keep these animals as pets.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chest Diseases, Division of Pneumology and Allergology, High Speciality "A,Cardarelli" Hospital, Naples, Italy. gennaro.liccardi@tin.it.
authors.forename: Gennaro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Liccardi
authors.forename: Gennaro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baldi
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ciccarelli
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cutajar
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: D'Amato
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gargano
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Giannattasio
authors.forename: Gennaro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Leone
authors.forename: Mario Lo
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Schiavo
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Madonna
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Menna
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Montera
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pio
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: Antonello
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salzillo
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stanziola
authors.forename: Gennaro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: D'Amato