A Prospective Study of Allergy Development in 158 Children and 128 Adults With New Extensive Exposure to Furred Animals

摘要

METHODS. Subjects were examined before the new exposure and once per year thereafter for 5 years (6 occasions). At each visit, individuals were scored on allergy symptoms. General allergic sensitization was analyzed by Phadiatop (Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden), a screening test for allergy to cat, horse, dog, house dust mite, and a few pollen and mold spores. Radioallergosorbent (RAST) testing with relevant allergens was performed to detect allergen-specific immunoglobulin E if screening was positive. Home environmental analyses of furred animal allergens were performed.