Asthma, Rhinitis, Other Respiratory Diseases
Decreased prevalence of sensitization to cats with high exposure to cat allergen

https://doi.org/10.1067/mai.2001.118599Get rights and content

Abstract

We investigated the relationship between current exposure to cat allergen and sensitization to cats. A questionnaire was administered and skin prick testing and home visits for collection of dust samples (Fel d 1; ELISA) were performed in 2502 adults (mean age, 31.8 years; age range, 18-58 years; 1251 women). The results for Fel d 1 in relation to sensitization to cats were analyzed for 10 deciles of cat allergen exposure (cut points [μg/g]: 0.05, 0.34, 0.48, 0.72, 1.13, 1.92, 7.2, 44, 151). The prevalence of sensitization to cat was significantly decreased in the lowest and the highest exposure groups. In the multivariate regression analysis (age, sex, socioeconomic status, and current smoking being adjusted for), the risk of sensitization to cats was significantly increased with medium exposure to Fel d 1 (3rd centile, OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.2-4.4, P = .01; 4th centile, OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.1-4.0, P = .03; 5th centile, OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.2-4.3, P = .04, 6th centile, OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.3-4.9, P = .005). These results indicate that the prevalence of sensitization to cat is decreased in the lowest and highest cat allergen exposure groups.(J Allergy Clin Immunol 2001;108:537-9.)

Section snippets

Methods

A detailed description of the screening and recruitment is given elsewhere.5, 6 Briefly, all pregnant women and their partners attending an antenatal “booking” clinic were asked to complete a questionnaire requesting basic demographic data and a history regarding atopic disorders, pet ownership, and smoking habits. Skin prick testing was carried out through use of the extracts of 4 common inhalant allergens (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus , cat, dog, and mixed grasses) with a negative control

Results

The full set of data was available for 2254 participants (mean age, 31.8 years; age range, 18-58 years); 449 of the participants had 1 or more cats in the home. Although cat ownership was associated with higher Fel d 1 levels, 48 of 702 participants in the lowest exposure group (<0.05 μg/g) owned a cat, whereas 22 of 150 subjects in the highest exposure group (>151 μg/g) did not own a cat. The κ coefficient revealed no dependence between the allergic conditions for women and their partners,

Discussion

The results of the current study suggest that the maximum prevalence of specific sensitization to cat occurs with moderate exposure. It must be emphasized that the measurement of current exposure in this study was used as a surrogate for the cumulative exposure. Although the possibility of selection bias cannot be excluded (eg, atopic women might be more interested and more likely to agree to be skin-tested; allergic patients might be more likely to allow a home visit), we believe that this did

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Reprint requests: Adnan Custovic, MD, PhD, North West Lung Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital, Southmoor Road, Manchester M23 9LT, United Kingdom.

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