title: Laboratory animal allergy: a new world.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In recent years there has been a dramatic shift in the world of animal research whereby genetically modified mice have largely supplanted rats, and individually ventilated cages have been introduced to house delicate experimental animals in place of traditional open cages. Although laboratory animal allergy remains an important cause of occupational asthma, the risks associated with contemporary practice and consequently the opportunities for primary and secondary prevention are largely unknown.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although there is clear confirmation of a widespread increase in animal experiments using mice, the evidence-base on the associated risks has lagged. Individually ventilated cages reduce ambient levels of mouse urinary protein in air but task-based exposures are unquantified. Immunological techniques to identify sensitization to mouse proteins are poorly standardized. The available evidence suggests that modern practices are, in most cases, associated with a reduced incidence of animal sensitization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a paucity of data to inform evidence-based practice in methods to control the incidence of laboratory animal allergy under the prevailing research environment; a better understanding of the relationship between exposures and outcome is urgently needed. As exposures decline, the relative importance of individual susceptibility will become prominent.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Royal Brompton Hospital and Imperial College (NHLI), London, UK.
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Feary
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cullinan
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D000830:Animals, Laboratory / Q000276:immunology*; D059366:Asthma, Occupational / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D051381:Rats; D012108:Research Personnel
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens