A Study On Allergy Sensitization Of Dense Urban Dwellers To Dog and Cat Allergens Using The Skin Prick Test

Abstract

Pet allergen exposure has been a long debate amongst experts. Studies in different countries have produced rather conflicting results. This is a cross-sectional study that aims to demonstrate cutaneous allergy sensitization to cats and dogs of Filipinos living in a dense urban area where pets and strays are commonly seen. One hundred fifteen subjects (n=115) were tested for cutaneous skin prick test reactivity to dog and cat allergens. There were 73 female and 42 males with 31 pediatric subjects. Among the subjects (n=115), 54.8% (n=63) were pet owners while 45.2% (n=52) have no pets. Using chi-square, skin prick test reactivity to dog and cat allergens were compared to patient demographic data and patient pet ownership profile. Our results show that neither gender nor age correlates to skin prick test reactivity to both allergens. Comparing skin test reactivity to dog allergen, there was no significant difference between those who are dog owners versus those who do not own dogs (p-value 0.183). Cat owners have significant increase in cat allergen skin reactivity (p-value 0.031). In conclusion, this study shows that regardless if you owned a dog or a cat, the event of having a positive dog skin prick is the same. In contrast, if one owns a cat, there is a higher event of having cat allergen sensitization compared to not owning cats at all. Lastly, those without pets in general do not have a significantly lower incidence of skin test reactivity showing that animal allergens cannot be fully avoided.