Both the variability and level of mouse allergen exposure influence the phenotype of the immune response in workers at a mouse facility.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The role of natural aeroallergen exposure in modulating allergen-specific immune responses is not well understood.

Objective

We sought to examine relationships between mouse allergen exposure and mouse-specific immune responses.

Methods

New employees (n = 179) at a mouse facility underwent repeated assessment of mouse allergen exposure, skin prick tests (SPTs), and measurement of mouse-specific IgG levels. Relationships between the mean level of exposure, variability of exposure (calculated as log deviation), and time to development of immunologic outcomes were examined by using Cox proportional hazards models.

Results

By 24 months, 32 (23%) participants had experienced a positive SPT response, and 10 (8%) had mouse-specific IgG₄. The incidence of a

SUBMITTER: Peng RD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3149759 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature