Sensitization to animal allergens and allergic symptoms during exposure to them in Korean veterinary researchers

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Veterinary researchers are exposed to variable animal allergens. However, sensitization to them and allergic symptoms during exposure to them in this group are not sufficiently evaluated worldwide, especially in Korea. The objective of this study is to evaluate sensitization to animal allergens and allergic symptoms during exposure to them in Korean veterinary researchers. METHODS: Thirty-two veterinary researchers who participated in the 2016 annual symposium of the Korean Society of Veterinary Science were asked to answer questionnaires regarding allergic symptoms during animal exposure and underwent skin prick tests for animal allergens. Animal allergens consisted of chicken feather and 10 mammals, epithelia as well as cow's milk, hen's egg, and 7 animal types of meat. RESULTS: There were 13 subjects who complained of allergic symptoms during exposure to certain animal epithelia and 19 who did not. Between the 2 groups, there were no differences in age, sex, underlying allergic disease, family history of allergy, current occupation and its duration, numbers and specie of contact animals, or daily contact time. Meanwhile, the sensitization rates to mouse, horse, rabbit, and guinea pig were significantly higher in the symptomatic group. Rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms were the most common allergic symptoms related to animal exposure were most common followed by dermatologic symptom, and symptom of lower respiratory tract. CONCLUSION: We found that sensitizations to some animal epithelia were more frequent in Korean veterinary researchers with allergic symptoms during exposure to animal compared to those without it, and their most common symptoms were rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms.