Occupational Health and Safety in the Care and Use of Research Animals (1997) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
ALLERGENS
ALLERGENS
Pages 51-64
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 51... ...
On the basis of current estimates, up to 73% of persons with pre-existing allergic disease eventually develop allergy to laboratory animals (Agrup and others 1986, Platts-Mills and others 1986, Venables and others 1988)
|
From page 52... ...
. In rare instances, a person who has become sensitized to an animal protein in the saliva of the animal experiences a generalized allergic reaction termed ana
|
From page 53... ...
TABLE 4-2 Allergic Reactions to Laboratory-Animal Allergens Disorder Symptoms Signs Contact urticaria Redness, itchiness of skin, Raised, circumscribed welts, hives erythematous lesions Allergic conjunctivitis Sneezing, itchiness, clear Conjunctival vascular nasal drainage, nasal congestion engorgement, cheminosis, clear discharge (usually bilateral) Allergic rhinitis Sneezing, itchiness, clear Pale or edematous nasal nasal drainage, nasal congestion mucosa, clear rhinorrhea Asthma Cough, wheezing, chest tightness, Decreased breath sounds, shortness of breath prolonged expiratory phase or wheezing, reversible airflow obstruction, airway hyperresponsiveness Anaphylaxis Generalized itching, hives, Flushing, urticaria, throat tightness, eye or lip swelling, angioedema, stridor, wheezing, difficulty in swallowing, hoarseness, hypotension shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea
|
From page 54... ...
when chronically exposed to allergens. SPECIFIC ANIMALS THAT CAN PROVOKE ALLERGIC REACTIONS Rats Rats are among the most commonly used laboratory animals and are responsible for symptoms in a large portion of people who have laboratory-animal allergy.
|
From page 55... ...
. This difference might be accounted for by the fact that Eggleston and co-workers measured for the specific allergen Rat n 1, whereas Tee and colleagues measured total airborne rat allergenic activity.
|
From page 56... ...
Rabbits Rabbits are used widely as laboratory animals and are a recognized cause of allergic symptoms in many workers. A major glycoprotein allergen has been described that appears to occur in the fur of the animals, and minor allergenic components found in rabbit saliva and urine have been identified (Warner and Longbottom 1991)
|
From page 57... ...
. Simply increasing ventilation rates from eight to 40 air changes per hour in a room containing two female cats did not reduce the clearance of airborne cat allergen (Wood and others 1993)
|
From page 58... ...
. Dogs Like exposure to cats, exposure to domestic dogs outside the work environment can lead to sensitization and is also a risk factor for laboratory animal allergy (Hollander and others 1996)
|
From page 59... ...
Formerly, the use of horse antiserum in treatment of infectious diseases led to serious reactions in sensitized persons, but the risk has been substantially reduced in recent years since the advent of human antisera. Sheep Little information is available regarding sensitivity to sheep.
|
From page 60... ...
The extent of the evaluations depends on the resources of the facility; at a minimum, a simple questionnaire that asks for a personal and family history of allergy (seasonal rhinitis or "hay fever," asthma, eczema, hives) and specifically allergy to laboratory animals (pets, as well as laboratory animals)
|
From page 61... ...
In people who are chronically exposed to laboratory animals, annual screening should be done to detect those who are developing allergic symptoms (sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy eyes, cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, or hives) so that appropriate intervention measures can be taken to prevent long-term difficulties.
|
From page 62... ...
. This simple maneuver could be of benefit in reducing exposure in some facilities; however, raising humidity to 77% might exceed the optimal range for animals, produce employee discomfort, and induce mold growth.
|
From page 63... ...
EVALUATION OF THE ALLERGIC WORKER When people develop allergic symptoms (sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy eyes, cough, wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, or hives) related to
|
From page 64... ...
Further information regarding the evaluation and treatment of workers allergic to laboratory animals can be obtained from professional organizations, such as the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, and the American Thoracic Society. ANAPHYLAXIS On rare occasions, an allergic worker might suffer an anaphylactic reaction to an animal bite (Teasdale and others 1993)
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.