Sensitization to laboratory animal allergens among students and researchers exposed to laboratory rodents in Hokkaido university

BACKGROUND: Based on a case who developed anaphylaxis after mouse bite which occurred at Hokkaido University, we studied on allergic sensitization prevalence for laboratory animals among students and researchers who are exposed to laboratory rodents and rabbit, for the purpose of allergy prevention, particularly anaphylaxis. METHODS: We carried out the health check-up on laboratory animal allergy (LAA) by questionnaires and specific-IgE antibody test for 555 rodents and/or rabbit handlers from whom informed consent was obtained. RESULT: Prevalence of positive IgE antibody higher than class 1 to mice, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, and/or rabbits in the examinees was 14.1% (62/441) , 17.9% (50/279) , 18.8% (6/32) , 17.4% (4/23) , and 11.3% (12/106) , respectively. Moreover, among users of mouse, those who had allergic symptoms during contact with animals resulted in significantly higher positive rate for anti-mouse IgE antibody test than the other (38.1% vs 8.8%, p<0.01) . CONCLUSION: Health check-up including measurement of specific-IgE antibody against laboratory animals is useful for understanding allergic sensitization.