PMID- 12473829
OWN - NLM
STAT- MEDLINE
DCOM- 20030401
LR  - 20220331
IS  - 1084-2020 (Print)
IS  - 1084-2020 (Linking)
VI  - 44
IP  - 1
DP  - 2003
TI  - Laboratory animal allergy: an update.
PG  - 28-51
AB  - Allergic reactions are among the most common conditions affecting the health of 
      workers involved in the care and use of research animals. Between 11 and 44% of 
      the individuals working with laboratory animals report work-related allergic 
      symptoms. Of those who become symptomatic, 4 to 22% may eventually develop 
      occupational asthma that can persist even after exposure ceases. Allergic 
      symptoms consist of rashes where animals are in contact with the skin, nasal 
      congestion and sneezing, itchy eyes, and asthma (cough, wheezing, and chest 
      tightness). The generation of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies is a prerequisite 
      for the production of allergic symptoms. The mechanism by which IgE antibodies 
      develop is becoming clearer. The propensity to produce IgE is genetically 
      determined, and pre-existing allergy may be a risk factor for the development of 
      laboratory animal allergy (LAA). However, exposure to animal allergens is the 
      major risk factor for the development of LAA. Techniques to measure the airborne 
      concentration of laboratory animal allergens have been developed. Research on 
      animal allergens themselves indicates that many of the mouse and rat urinary 
      proteins belong to a family of proteins called lipocalins, which share sequence 
      homology with antigens of the parasitic agent that causes schistosomiasis. The 
      fact that parasite infections also trigger IgE antibody responses may account for 
      the development of LAA in persons who have never had any previous allergy. The 
      prevention of LAA should be a major goal of an effective health and safety 
      program in the animal research facility, and it can be accomplished by education 
      and training of employees, reduction of exposure (including the use of personal 
      protective gear), and changes in facility design. Medical surveillance programs 
      can also play a role in improving health of individuals working with laboratory 
      research animals. Early recognition of symptoms and evidence of sensitization can 
      lead to interventions to reduce exposure and thereby avoid the long-term health 
      consequences of LAA.
FAU - Bush, Robert K
AU  - Bush RK
AD  - Allergy Section of the William S. Middle Veterans Affairs Hospital, Madison, WI, 
      USA.
FAU - Stave, Gregg M
AU  - Stave GM
LA  - eng
PT  - Journal Article
PT  - Review
PL  - England
TA  - ILAR J
JT  - ILAR journal
JID - 9516416
RN  - 0 (Allergens)
RN  - 37341-29-0 (Immunoglobulin E)
SB  - IM
MH  - Allergens/immunology
MH  - Animals
MH  - *Animals, Laboratory
MH  - Antibody Formation
MH  - Diagnosis, Differential
MH  - Humans
MH  - Hypersensitivity/epidemiology/*etiology
MH  - Immunoglobulin E/analysis
MH  - Incidence
MH  - *Occupational Exposure
MH  - *Occupational Health
MH  - Risk Factors
MH  - Safety
RF  - 75
EDAT- 2002/12/11 04:00
MHDA- 2003/04/02 05:00
CRDT- 2002/12/11 04:00
PHST- 2002/12/11 04:00 [pubmed]
PHST- 2003/04/02 05:00 [medline]
PHST- 2002/12/11 04:00 [entrez]
AID - 10.1093/ilar.44.1.28 [doi]
PST - ppublish
SO  - ILAR J. 2003;44(1):28-51. doi: 10.1093/ilar.44.1.28.