Role of mouse allergens in allergic disease.

Mouse allergen has long been recognized as an important cause of occupational allergy and asthma, but only recently has it been implicated in asthma and allergic diseases in community settings. Recent studies have established that mouse allergen is detectable in most US homes, with strikingly high levels in some inner cities. Inner city homes in major northeastern and midwestern US urban centers have levels as much as 100-fold higher than those found in other geographic regions. In addition, about 25% of inner city children with asthma have evidence of IgE sensitization to mouse. Several studies have shown that the combination of sensitization and exposure to higher levels of mouse allergen is associated with substantial asthma morbidity, including hospitalizations. Integrated pest management is efficacious in reducing mouse allergen levels and is recommended for sensitized patients with asthma. However, its impact on clinical outcomes has not yet been proven.