Abstract
BackgroundLaboratory Animal Allergy (LAA) has been considered a risk for the workers since 1989 by the NIOSH. About one third of the Laboratory Animal Workers (LAWs) can manifest symptoms to LAA as asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis and cutaneous reactions. The prevalence of LAA-induced clinical symptoms has been estimated with a great variability (4–44%) also due to the different methodologies applied.ObjectiveEvaluate the prevalence of IgE positivity to mouse and rat allergens in LAWs and assess which factors are predisposing to sensitization among subjects exposed to laboratory animals in the workplace.MethodsOne hundred LAWs were invited to fill out a questionnaire regarding current allergic symptoms, atopic history, home environment, previous and current occupational history. IgE reactivity versus specific allergens was evaluated with ImmunoCAP ISAC.ResultsOut of one hundred LAWs, 18% had a serum susceptibility to mouse and/or rat allergens and 42% reported to have occupational allergy symptoms. Combining the results acquired by ImmunoCAP ISAC and questionnaire, 17% of LAWs have been defined as LAWs-LAA positive since they present a positive IgE response and allergy symptoms, 1% LAWs-LAA sensitized, 25% LAWs-LAA symptomatic and 57% LAWs-LAA negative. Presence of previous allergy symptoms in work and life environment were significantly related to LAWs-LAA positive/sensitized.ConclusionsThe study aimed to define the immunological profile of LAWs using the proteomic array as an innovative approach in the study of environmental and occupational exposure to allergens. We suggested a definition of LAWs-LAA considering serum IgE response and presence of allergy symptoms. The proposed approach has the advantage to provide a standard methodology for evaluating the specific IgE responsiveness to animal allergens in specific workplace also considering the immunological profile of workers referred to exposure in life and occupational environment.
Highlights
Occupational allergy diseases result from a complex interaction between endogenous and exogenous factors, as well as individual susceptibility and level of exposure to allergens both in work and life environment
occupational asthma (OA) represents about the 25% of respiratory diseases in the workplace and it has been evaluated that a 17% of asthma in adults is due to occupational exposures as reported by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
According to information acquired by questionnaire, allergic symptoms were highly prevalent in the study group: 71% of Laboratory Animal Workers (LAWs) declared to have had allergic symptoms/to be symptomatic; 12% reported to be allergic to pet animals
Summary
Occupational allergy diseases result from a complex interaction between endogenous and exogenous factors, as well as individual susceptibility and level of exposure to allergens both in work and life environment. About one third of the Laboratory Animal Workers (LAWs) can manifest symptoms to LAA as asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis and cutaneous reactions. Objective: Evaluate the prevalence of IgE positivity to mouse and rat allergens in LAWs and assess which factors are predisposing to sensitization among subjects exposed to laboratory animals in the workplace. Presence of previous allergy symptoms in work and life environment were significantly related to LAWs-LAA positive/sensitized. The proposed approach has the advantage to provide a standard methodology for evaluating the specific IgE responsiveness to animal allergens in specific workplace considering the immunological profile of workers referred to exposure in life and occupational environment
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