Major cat allergen (Fel d I) levels in the homes of patients with asthma and their relationship to sensitization to cat dander.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Exposure and sensitization to the major cat allergen, Felis domesticus allergen I (Fel d I), significant causes of allergic respiratory disease. Many patients who are allergic to cats, however, do not own a cat and there is not an obvious source of allergen in their home environment.

OBJECTIVE:

We investigated the levels of Fel d I in dust from homes of 120 subjects with asthma in two climatologically diverse Canadian cities (Vancouver and Winnipeg). Fel d I levels were related to exposure to cats as well as to skin reactivity to cat dander.

METHODS:

Dust samples from bedroom floors and mattresses were collected in four different seasons and Fel d I content was determined by 2-site monoclonal antibody based-ELISA.

RESULTS:

Although only 18 patients (15%) were cat owners, detectable levels of Fel d I were found on at least one occasion in all homes. The geometric mean concentration of Fel d I on floors was 1.15 micrograms/g of dust (range 0.07 to 26.3 micrograms/g) and on mattresses 0.89 micrograms/g (range 0.01 to 17.4 micrograms/g). Seasonal variation of Fel d I levels was only observed in Winnipeg, where Fel d I concentrations were highest in the winter and spring compared with either summer (P < .05) or autumn (P < .005). The highest Fel d I levels were found in homes with a cat (P < .05), however, rather high levels were also found in homes of patients who did not have a cat but visited others with cats. Cat dander was the most frequent sensitizer (60%) in these patients but no correlation was found between the size of the wheal induced by cat dander extract and Fel d I levels in dust samples.

CONCLUSION:

Cat allergen was universally found in homes of asthmatic patients and this may explain the high frequency of cat sensitization among patients with asthma in these two cities. A seasonal variation in cat allergen was observed in Winnipeg with no variation in Vancouver.

• Authors: S Quirce, H Dimich-Ward, H Chan, A Ferguson, A Becker, J Manfreda, E Simons, M Chan-Yeung
• Journal: Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol) Vol. 75 Issue 4 Pg. 325-30 (Oct 1995) ISSN: 1081-1206 [Print] United States
• PMID: 7583847 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Allergens
• Dust
• Environmental Pollutants
• Glycoproteins
• Fel d 1 protein, Felis domesticus

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Allergens (analysis)
• Animals
• Asthma (etiology, immunology)
• Cats (immunology)
• Child
• Dust (adverse effects, analysis)
• Environmental Pollutants (immunology)
• Female
• Glycoproteins (analysis, immunology)
• Humans
• Hypersensitivity, Immediate (etiology, immunology)
• Male
• Middle Aged