Sensitization to cat and dog components and prediction of symptoms in cat-sensitized children.

Katarzyna Smejda,Daniela Podlecka,Joanna Jerzynska,Agnieszka Brzozowska

doi:10.12932/ap-070920-0953

Abstract

Sensitization to cat and/or dog allergens during childhood represents a risk factor for the development of allergic diseases later in life. The study investigated the association of patterns of sensitization to cat and dog allergen components with clinical symptoms of allergy to these furry animals among cat-sensitized children. The children were evaluated for the presence of bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis. Their mothers completed a questionnaire on pet exposure at home. Levels of serum IgE cat epitopes Fel d (1, 2, 4), as well as dog components Can f (1, 2, 3, 5) were measured in all the studied children. Respiratory symptoms following exposure to the cat allergen were most common in children with Fel d 2 epitope (p = 0.041). After contact with a dog, respiratory symptoms were most common in children with Can f 1 epitope (p = 0.042), atopic dermatitis in children with sensitization to both Can f 1 (p = 0.009) and Can f 2 (p = 0.002), whereas eye symptoms occurred mostly in children with Can f 3 (p = 0.039). Molecular diagnosis in patients with pet allergy may help clinicians to predict clinical symptoms and their severity.

Highlights

Cats and dogs are the most common household pets
Respiratory symptoms following exposure to the cat allergen were most common in children with Fel d 2 epitope (p = 0.041)
After contact with a dog, respiratory symptoms were most common in children with Can f 1 epitope (p = 0.042), eczema in children with sensitization to both Can f 1 (p = 0.009) and Can f 2 (p = 0.002), whereas eye symptoms occurred mostly in children with Can f 3 (p = 0.039)

Summary

Introduction

Cats and dogs are the most common household pets. Forty-two percent of Polish citizens declare that they have a dog, 26% report to keep a cat, and 5% possess other animals [1]. In the ECAP study of the Polish population, an average frequency of cat allergy was 13.5%, and in the case of dog allergy it was 9.7% [2]. The dog and cat allergens are a common cause of allergic sensitization and a factor triggering respiratory symptoms worldwide. Other important cat allergens are albumin of Fel d 2 serum [7] and lipocalin Fel d 4 [8] which cross-reacts with the corresponding proteins from other animals [9]. Sensitization to cat and/or dog allergens during childhood represents a risk factor for the development of allergic diseases later in life

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Discussion

Conclusion