Hello, kitty: could cat allergy be a form of intoxication?

The relationship between slow loris (Nycticebus spp.) venom (BGE protein) and the major cat allergen (Fel d 1) from domestic cat (Felis catus) is known for about two decades. Along this time, evidence was accumulated regarding convergences between them, including their almost identical mode of action. Methods: Large-scale database mining for Fel d 1 and BGE proteins in Felidae and Nycticebus spp., alignment, phylogeny proposition and molecular modelling, associated with directed literature review were assessed. Results: Fel d 1 sequences for 28 non-domestic felids were identified, along with two additional loris BGE protein sequences. Dimer interfaces are less conserved among sequences, and the chain 1 shows more sequence similarity than chain 2. Post-translational modification similarities are highly probable. Conclusions: Fel d 1 functions beyond allergy are discussed, considering the great conservation of felid orthologs of this protein. Reasons for toxicity being found only in domestic cats are proposed in the context of domestication. The combination of the literature review, genome-derived sequence data, and comparisons with the venomous primate slow loris may point to domestic cats as potentially poisonous mammals.(AU)

Sensitization to cat allergen and its association with respiratory allergies: cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Cats are a significant source of allergens that contribute towards worsening of allergic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between sensitization to cat allergens and allergic respiratory diseases.This was an observational retrospective study based on the skin pricktests results of patients at a tertiary-level hospital in São Paulo. A total of 1,985 test results were assessed. The prevalence of sensitization to cat allergen was 20% (399 patients). Our data indicated that in this population of atopic patients, a positive skin prick test result for cat allergen was not associated significantly with a diagnosis of respiratory allergy.

Measurement of Dog and Cat Allergens Detected During Normal Domestic Activity; in Seoul Metropolitan Area / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

PURPOSE: Allergens that cause asthma include those derived from indoor allergens such as animal dander (dog and cat). The aim of the study is to provide baseline data on characteristics of home environments in Korea, which will be used for future comparative studies of indoor environmental factors between populations with contrasting asthma prevalence. METHODS: The study was performed during September through November (Autumn) 1999. A total of 206 residential homes were volunteers from different districts in Seoul. They participate in home environment survey and skin prick tests. The dust specimens were collected by vacuum cleaner (V-582T, 520W; LG). We detected animal dander (Can f 1 and Fel d 1) by monoclonal-antibody based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). RESULTS: The average indoor temperature was 25.1+/-2.9 degrees C and the relative humidity was 54.0+/-9.6%. The positive rate of dog (Can f 1) was 35.4% and cat (Fel d 1) was 33.5%. It is the same between Can f 1 and Fel d 1 distributed within dust samples from the four sites of the homes. And the distribution level of Can f 1 and Fel d 1 was, for the living room 26.2%, 17%, for the bedroom 20.9%, 15%, for the children's room 20.4%, 10.2%, for the kitchen 16%, 8.7 %, in descending order. CONCLUSION: The positive rate of Can f 1 was higher than Fel d 1 in dust samples. The living room has highest distribution of dust samples among the four sites of a home. And it has similar distribution between Can f 1 and Fel d 1.