Allergic sensitization to common pets (cats/dogs) according to different possible modalities of exposure: an Italian Multicenter Study
نویسندگان
چکیده
Background The query "are there animals at home?" is usually administered for collecting information on anamnesis. This modality to consider exposure to pet allergens constitutes a potential bias in epidemiological studies and in clinical practice. The aim of our study was to evaluate/quantify different modalities of exposure to cat/dog in inducing allergic sensitization. Methods Thirty Italian Allergy units participated in this study. Each centre was required to collect the data of at least 20 consecutive outpatients sensitized to cat/dog allergens. A standardized form reported all demographic data and a particular attention was paid in relieving possible modalities of exposure to cat/dog. Results A total 723 patients sensitized to cat/dog were recorded, 359 (49.65%) reported direct pet contact, 213 patients (29.46%) were pet owners, and 146 subjects (20.19%) were exposed to pets in other settings. Other patients were sensitized by previous pet ownership (150-20.75%) or indirect contact (103-14.25%), in 111 subjects (15.35%) any contact was reported. Conclusions Only 213 patients (29.46%) would be classified as "exposed to animals" and 510 (70.54%) as "not exposed" according to usual query. Our classification has shown that many "not-exposed" subjects (399-55.19%) were "really exposed". The magnitude of exposure to pet allergens at home is not related exclusively to pet ownership. These considerations should be taken into account during the planning of epidemiological studies and in clinical practice for the management of pet allergic individuals.
منابع مشابه
Occupational allergy to horse allergens: More than exposure to horses!
Dear Editor, We read with interest the article from Moghtaderi et al. [1] showing that exposure to horses among individuals who ride enhances the risk of developing allergic sensitization to horse allergens in comparison to healthy controls. The topic is of high importance considering the popularity of a horse as a domestic animal for several reasons (work, leisure, pet therapy, etc.), and the ...
متن کاملRespiratory allergy induced by exclusive polysensitization to serum albumins of furry animals.
In this report we describe un unusual case of exclusive allergic sensitization to furry animals, as a possible study model to speculate about different modalities ofsensitization to allergens of common and less common mammalian species. A 27-year-old woman referred in our Allergological Centre for the occurrence of conjunctival and severe respiratory symptoms after contact with several animals ...
متن کاملPet avoidance in allergy cases: Is it possible to implement it?
INTRODUCTION Among allergic patients, pet avoidance is commonly recommended. It is difficult for patients to accomplish this because of their emotional attachment to the pets, and its effectiveness is controversial. OBJECTIVE To explore the applicability and effectiveness of pet avoidance measures among sensitized patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS We evaluated 288 patients with asthma, rhinit...
متن کاملExposure to dogs and cats in the first year of life and risk of allergic sensitization at 6 to 7 years of age.
CONTEXT Childhood asthma is strongly associated with allergic sensitization. Studies have suggested that animal exposure during infancy reduces subsequent allergic sensitization. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the relationship between dog and cat exposure in the first year of life and allergic sensitization at 6 to 7 years of age. DESIGN, SETTING, AND SUBJECTS Prospective birth cohort study of healt...
متن کاملSensitization to Common and Uncommon Pets or Other Furry Animals: Which May Be Common Mechanisms?
Exposure to animal allergens constitutes a relevant risk factor for the development of allergic sensitization. Moreover, an increasing number of people become owners of less common animals. In this article we summarize aspects related to sensitization to cat/dog which may be applied also to uncommon pets or other furry animals. The data discussed here suggest that several different factors may ...
متن کامل