SELECTED ARTICLES FROM THE RECENT LITERATURE 2004

9/27/04

Approach to reduce airborne cat allergen levels

Summary
Background - Several studies have shown that clinically important airborne levels of cat allergen can be found in schoolrooms without any known cat occupancy but use by children coming from homes with high cat exposure levels (Allergy 2002; 57:357-61). It is thought that the cat allergen is brought in on the clothing of the cat-owning children.

Findings - Karlsson et al of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden compared the effects of a school clothing program in which children (some from cat owning homes) changed into clothing used only within the school before coming to the classroom). They measure the effects of this approach vs. the usual dress code on airborne cat allergen levels. After 6 weeks they found 4-6 fold lower airborne cat allergen levels in the classroom occupied by "school clothing" wearing children than in the control classrooms. Indeed, the cat allergen levels in the "school clothing" classrooms were not significantly different than in a classroom occupied exclusively by children from non-pet owning homes. In the control classrooms, the levels of cat allergen were 3-fold higher on the clothing of children from cat-owning households than on children without cats at home.

Conclusion - A "school clothing program" can reduce the schoolroom levels of cat allergen significantly in a more practical manner than trying to achieve classes of children from homes without pets.

Reference
J Allergy Clin Immunol 2004;113:1172-7

Editor's Comments
These findings point out that the carrying of cat allergen in schoolrooms can be reduced by achievable means, assuming the cooperation of the students and their parents. Of note, previous studies have shown that some children do not become clinically allergic to cats despite high levels of schoolroom exposure, possibly because they make strong IgG4, but not IgE, responses to cat allergen (Lancet 2001;357:752-56).

 

<-- BACK