OBJECTIVE: We examined the risk factors for the development of airway allergy in animal shelter workers. METHODS: The study population comprised 88 animal shelter workers occupationally exposed to cats and dogs. They responded to a questionnaire concerning the history of exposure to animal allergens and job characteristics and were subjected to skin prick test (SPT) to common and occupational allergens (cat and dog), and determination of total serum IgE level and specific IgE. In addition, SPT with rat and mouse allergens were performed. Bronchial hyperreactivity and peak expiratory flow rate were measured at work and off work only in workers with work-related symptoms suggestive of occupational asthma (OA). RESULTS: The prevalence of OA was 9.1%. Sensitization to dog allergens was higher than to cats. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed a significant role of positive family history of atopy and having a dog as pet in the past for the development of occupational airway allergy (OR 5.9; 95% CI 1.76, 20.00; P = 0.003; OR 6.47; 95% CI 1.90, 22.02; P = 0.002, respectively). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the risk for developing OA was most clearly associated with growing up in the country (OR 7.59; 95% CI 1.25, 45.9; P = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: Allergic disease is a serious occupational health concern for subjects who have occupational contact with cats and dogs.
OBJECTIVE: We examined the risk factors for the development of airway allergy in animal shelter workers. METHODS: The study population comprised 88 animal shelter workers occupationally exposed to cats and dogs. They responded to a questionnaire concerning the history of exposure to animal allergens and job characteristics and were subjected to skin prick test (SPT) to common and occupational allergens (cat and dog), and determination of total serum IgE level and specific IgE. In addition, SPT with rat and mouse allergens were performed. Bronchial hyperreactivity and peak expiratory flow rate were measured at work and off work only in workers with work-related symptoms suggestive of occupational asthma (OA). RESULTS: The prevalence of OA was 9.1%. Sensitization to dog allergens was higher than to cats. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed a significant role of positive family history of atopy and having a dog as pet in the past for the development of occupational airway allergy (OR 5.9; 95% CI 1.76, 20.00; P = 0.003; OR 6.47; 95% CI 1.90, 22.02; P = 0.002, respectively). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the risk for developing OA was most clearly associated with growing up in the country (OR 7.59; 95% CI 1.25, 45.9; P = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS:Allergic disease is a serious occupational health concern for subjects who have occupational contact with cats and dogs.
Authors: S G Johansson; J O Hourihane; J Bousquet; C Bruijnzeel-Koomen; S Dreborg; T Haahtela; M L Kowalski; N Mygind; J Ring; P van Cauwenberge; M van Hage-Hamsten; B Wüthrich Journal: Allergy Date: 2001-09 Impact factor: 13.146
Authors: M Waser; E von Mutius; J Riedler; D Nowak; S Maisch; D Carr; W Eder; G Tebow; R Schierl; M Schreuer; C Braun-Fahrländer Journal: Allergy Date: 2005-02 Impact factor: 13.146
Authors: Waltraud Eder; Walt Klimecki; Lizhi Yu; Erika von Mutius; Josef Riedler; Charlotte Braun-Fahrländer; Dennis Nowak; Fernando D Martinez Journal: J Allergy Clin Immunol Date: 2004-03 Impact factor: 10.793
Authors: Stephanie C Eisenbarth; Damani A Piggott; James W Huleatt; Irene Visintin; Christina A Herrick; Kim Bottomly Journal: J Exp Med Date: 2002-12-16 Impact factor: 14.307