Ann Dermatol.  2018 Dec;30(6):662-667. 10.5021/ad.2018.30.6.662.

Increasing Prevalence of the Sensitization to Cat/Dog Allergens in Korea

• Park BW
• Park JY
• Cho EB
• Park EJ
• Kim KH
• Kim KJ

• KMID: 2428921
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2018.30.6.662

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Recently, the number of domestic pets has increased. As a consequence, sensitization to animal allergens, such as cat or dog allergens, has become a problem.
OBJECTIVE
We studied the annual trends of sensitization to cats or dogs, and the characteristics of the patients.
METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 7,469 patients who visited a dermatology clinic and underwent an allergic profile test, from January 2011 to December 2015. Specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels to cat or dog antibody greater than 3.50 IU/ml were regarded as positive results.
RESULTS
In all, 274 patients showed significant increase in levels of specific IgE antibody to dog, and 307 revealed increase in levels of of specific IgE antibody to cat. The prevalence of these specific IgEs increased from 2011 to 2015. Independent risks for sensitization to cat allergens were sensitization to dog, but not to house dust, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, and D. farinae. Independent risks for sensitization to dog allergens were sensitization to cat, but not to house dust, D. pteronyssinus, and D. farinae. Total IgE level was not related to specific IgE level against either cats or dogs.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the prevalence of sensitization to cat or dog has increased. Sensitization to cat or dog is related to each other, but is irrelevant to the total IgE level.

Keyword

Atopic dermatitis; Cat; Dog; Specific immunoglobulin E

MeSH Terms

Allergens*
Animals
Cats
Dermatitis, Atopic
Dermatology
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus
Dogs
Dust
Humans
Immunoglobulin E
Immunoglobulins
Korea*
Medical Records
Prevalence*
Retrospective Studies
Allergens
Dust
Immunoglobulin E
Immunoglobulins

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Annual rates of the sensitization to cat and dog from 2011 to 2015.

Reference

1. Odhiambo JA, Williams HC, Clayton TO, Robertson CF, Asher MI. Global variations in prevalence of eczema symptoms in children from ISAAC phase three. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009; 124:1251–1258. PMID: 20004783.

2. Lee JH, Han KD, Kim KM, Park YG, Lee JY, Park YM. Prevalence of atopic dermatitis in Korean children based on data from the 2008-2011 Korean national health and nutrition examination survey. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2016; 8:79–83. PMID: 26540505.

3. Plaschke P, Janson C, Norrman E, Björnsson E, Ellbjär S, Järvholm B. Association between atopic sensitization and asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in Swedish adults: pets, and not mites, are the most important allergens. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1999; 104:58–65. PMID: 10400840.

4. Yoo KY, Cho SH, Gin Y, Lee YJ. Strategic guidelines to protect and manage pet animals in Seoul (SDI 04-R-21). Seoul: The Seoul Institute;2004.

5. Korean gallup. Pet ownership status and awareness survey in Korea. Seoul: Korea Pet Food Association;2017. p. 58.

6. Calabria CW, Dietrich J, Hagan L. Comparison of serum-specific IgE (ImmunoCAP) and skin-prick test results for 53 inhalant allergens in patients with chronic rhinitis. Allergy Asthma Proc. 2009; 30:386–396. PMID: 19772760.

7. Jung YG, Cho HJ, Park GY, Min JY, Kim HY, Dhong HJ, et al. Comparison of the skin-prick test and Phadia Immuno-CAP as tools to diagnose house-dust mite allergy. Am J Rhinol Allergy. 2010; 24:226–229. PMID: 20537291.

8. Koh HS, Lee KS, Han DH, Rah YH, Choi SH. Relationship between serum total IgE, specific IgE, and peripheral blood eosinophil count according to specific allergic diseases. Allergy Asthma Respir Dis. 2013; 1:123–128.

9. Yilmaz I, Oner Erkekol F, Secil D, Misirligil Z, Mungan D. Cat and dog sensitization in pet shop workers. Occup Med (Lond). 2013; 63:563–567. PMID: 24174631.

10. Custovic A, Hallam CL, Simpson BM, Craven M, Simpson A, Woodcock A. Decreased prevalence of sensitization to cats with high exposure to cat allergen. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2001; 108:537–539. PMID: 11590378.

11. Custovic A, Simpson BM, Simpson A, Hallam CL, Marolia H, Walsh D, et al. Current mite, cat, and dog allergen exposure, pet ownership, and sensitization to inhalant allergens in adults. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2003; 111:402–407. PMID: 12589363.

12. Enberg RN, Shamie SM, McCullough J, Ownby DR. Ubiquitous presence of cat allergen in cat-free buildings: probable dispersal from human clothing. Ann Allergy. 1993; 70:471–474. PMID: 8507041.

13. D'Amato G, Liccardi G, Russo M, Barber D, D'Amato M, Carreira J. Clothing is a carrier of cat allergens. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1997; 99:577–578. PMID: 9111506.

14. Patchett K, Lewis S, Crane J, Fitzharris P. Cat allergen (Fel d1) levels on school children's clothing and in primary school classrooms in Wellington, New Zealand. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1997; 100:755–759. PMID: 9438482.

15. Almqvist C, Larsson PH, Egmar AC, Hedrén M, Malmberg P, Wickman M. School as a risk environment for children allergic to cats and a site for transfer of cat allergen to homes. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1999; 103:1012–1017. PMID: 10359879.

16. Custovic A, Simpson A, Chapman MD, Woodcock A. Allergen avoidance in the treatment of asthma and atopic disorders. Thorax. 1998; 53:63–72. PMID: 9577525.

17. Partti-Pellinen K, Marttila O, Mäkinen-Kiljunen S, Haahtela T. Occurrence of dog, cat, and mite allergens in public transport vehicles. Allergy. 2000; 55:65–68. PMID: 10696858.

18. Chan-Yeung M, McClean PA, Sandell PR, Slutsky AS, Zamel N. Sensitization to cat without direct exposure to cats. Clin Exp Allergy. 1999; 29:762–765. PMID: 10336591.

19. Kim TB, Kim KM, Kim SH, Kang HR, Chang YS, Kim CW, et al. Sensitization rates for inhalant allergens in Korea; a multi-center study. J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol. 2003; 23:483–493.

20. Svanes C, Zock JP, Antó J, Dharmage S, Norbäck D, Wjst M, et al. Do asthma and allergy influence subsequent pet keeping? An analysis of childhood and adulthood. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2006; 118:691–698. PMID: 16950289.

21. Kim J, Hahm MI, Lee SY, Kim WK, Chae Y, Park YM, et al. Sensitization to aeroallergens in Korean children: a population-based study in 2010. J Korean Med Sci. 2011; 26:1165–1172. PMID: 21935271.

22. Lee SE, Kim JY, Kim YA, Cho SH, Ahn HJ, Woo HM, et al. Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in stray and household cats in regions of Seoul, Korea. Korean J Parasitol. 2010; 48:267–270. PMID: 20877509.

23. Spitzauer S, Pandjaitan B, Mühl S, Ebner C, Kraft D, Valenta R, et al. Major cat and dog allergens share IgE epitopes. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1997; 99:100–106. PMID: 9003217.

24. Madhurantakam C, Nilsson OB, Uchtenhagen H, Konradsen J, Saarne T, Högbom E, et al. Crystal structure of the dog lipocalin allergen can f 2: implications for cross-reactivity to the cat allergen Fel d 4. J Mol Biol. 2010; 401:68–83. PMID: 20621650.

25. Linneberg A, Nielsen NH, Madsen F, Frølund L, Dirksen A, Jørgensen T. Pets in the home and the development of pet allergy in adulthood. The Copenhagen allergy study. Allergy. 2003; 58:21–26. PMID: 12580802.

26. Erwin EA, Rönmark E, Wickens K, Perzanowski MS, Barry D, Lundbäck B, et al. Contribution of dust mite and cat specific IgE to total IgE: relevance to asthma prevalence. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2007; 119:359–365. PMID: 17291853.