Associations between cat keeping, allergen exposure, allergic sensitization and atopic diseases: Results from the Children of Lübeck Allergy and Environment Study (KLAUS)

Abstract

The role of cat keeping on the promotion of allergies is discussed controversially. We investigated the associations between cat keeping, allergen exposure, allergic sensitization and atopic diseases in pre-school children. A total of 606 children (5- to 6-yr old) were studied in the course of the mandatory school entrance examination. Information on doctor diagnosed asthma and allergic rhinitis, pet keeping and confounders was obtained by questionnaire. The prevalence of atopic eczema was determined by dermatological examination, allergic sensitization was assessed by skin prick test, and the allergen exposure to cat allergen Fel d 1 was measured by a commercial wipe test. Cats were present in 16% of the households and results of the exposure categories (0-III) on cat allergen were 47.2%, 25.5%, 24.3% and 3.0% respectively. The prevalence of cat keeping increased significantly with exposure categories from 0.5% to 61.5% (p(trend)< 0.001). Children (6.3%) were sensitized to cat allergen and sensitization rates increased also significantly with exposure categories from 3.0% to 15.4% (p(trend) < 0.001). Children (9.3%) were diagnosed with atopic eczema and a positive history of asthma/rhinitis was given in 3.6% and 3.9% respectively. Sensitization to cat was associated with atopic eczema (23.3% vs. 7.4%; OR(adj.)= 3.8, CI: 1.4-10.8), asthma (12.5% vs. 3.7%; OR(adj.)= 4.9, CI: 1.1-21.2), allergic rhinitis (6.9% vs. 2.7%; OR(adj.)= 3.1, CI: 0.7-15.2) and any atopic disease (43.5% vs. 16.3%; OR(adj.)= 3.8, CI: 1.5-9.5). The data suggest a promoting effect of cat keeping for atopic diseases.

Epidemiology and outcome of childhood asthma: a clinical study in an Egyptian university medical centre

“…However, in our study there was no statistical difference in the need for hospitalization for asthma between asthmatic children with or without indoor animals. This is not consistent with other studies [18,19]. Passive tobacco smoking and exposure to outdoor dust and smoke were significant risk factors in the prevalence of asthma but had no significant effect on the need for hospital admission in our study, whereas other studies showed that exposure to smoke increased the severity of asthma and the need for hospital admission [14,20].…”

Does Exposure to Indoor Allergens Contribute to the Development of Asthma and Allergy?

“…Fel d 1 is carried by small particles (<5-µm diameter) that readily become airborne and remain suspended in the air for a long time. It is a ubiquitous allergen, as it has been found in indoor environments such as schools in which cats have never been kept [8]. In dogs, major allergens have been identified in saliva, epidermal scales, and urine.…”

Exposure to positively- and negatively-charged plasma cluster ions impairs IgE-binding capacity of indoor cat and fungal allergens

“…Sensitization to cat allergens in childhood is thought to be a risk factor for the future development of pollinosis, asthma, and allergic eczema [4, 6]. In Japan, a survey of 504 asthma patients conducted in 1993–1994 reported that 70 % of 44 patients who kept cats and 34 % of 394 patients who had never kept cats were positive for cat-specific IgE, as indicated by CAP-RAST score ≥2 [7].…”