Difference in exposure to airborne major rat allergen (Rat n 1) and to endotoxin in rat quarters according to tasks

Abstract

Exposure to airborne Rat n 1 and endotoxin is higher during cleaning and feeding tasks than during any other task, we feel that a major source of both is contaminated bedding that becomes airborne during disturbance.

National prevalence and exposure risk for mouse allergen in US households

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Mouse allergen in particular has been frequently studied in occupational settings to investigate exposure and response among laboratory animal handlers. [9][10][11][12][13] More recent research has examined home environments, revealing potentially important relationships between household mouse allergen exposure and sensitization among children.…”

Detection of mouse and rat urinary aeroallergens with an improved ELISA

“…Generally, the highest exposure to Mus m 1 or Rat n 1 has been found to occur during cage cleaning, changing animals from dirty to clean cages, feeding, and animal handling. 9,10,15,16,19,[31][32][33] However, within the same task or area category in this study, the allergen concentrations within a task or area varied. This has been observed also in other studies, eg, the measured Mus m 1 concentrations differed by greater than 4000-fold during emptying dirty cages.…”

“…The ELISA assays for rat allergen measurements have been based on polyclonal 9,10,18 or monoclonal antibodies. 11,14,[19][20][21][22] However, a standardized assay for quantifying the exposure to laboratory animal allergens is not yet available. In addition, no occupational exposure limits have been set for the allergens.…”

Association of Toll-like receptor 4 alleles with symptoms and sensitization to laboratory animals

“…We and others have detected moderate-to-high levels of airborne animal allergen in this workplace and more modest levels of airborne endotoxin 1,2 that might play a role in both symptoms and sensitization to laboratory animals. Evidence from this 3 and other endotoxin- and allergen-rich work environments, such as poultry farms and hog-confinement barns, shows that endotoxin exposure elicits upper and lower respiratory symptoms, such as rhinorrhea, eye and nose irritation, cough, wheeze, and chest tightness, and is associated with airflow limitation.…”