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Original Article
 

Changes in thymus- and activationregulated chemokine (TARC) associated with allergen immunotherapy in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis
 

H. Takeuchi 1, Y. Yamamoto 1, H. Kitano 1 and T. Enomoto 2

1 Division of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Medicine of Sensorimotor Organs,
Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
2 Department of Otolaryngology, Japanese Red Cross Society, Wakayama Medical Center, Wakayama, Japan

J Invest Allergol Clin Immunol 2005; Vol. 15(3): 172-176
 

 Abstract


Background. The relationship between pet ownership and the risk of developing allergic sensitization to pet allergens is still controversial. We assessed the possible effect of direct exposure to dog allergen on skin reactivity in dogsensitized patients. Methods. We studied, in a case-control trial, 116 adults sensitized to dog allergens (55 with a dog at home for at least 10 years and 61 without it). The degree of response was assessed by skin prick test, performed in quadruplicate with three concentrations of allergenic extract: A (1:20 w/v), B (1:200 w/v) and C (1:2000 w/v). The mean diameter of each wheal was assessed using a visilog image analysis software.

Results. No significant difference between the two groups in the wheal diameters induced by the three concentrations of dog allergen could be demonstrated.

Conclusion. The results of this study suggest that direct dog exposure in adults with respiratory allergy is not associated with greater cutaneous response to dog allergens, as compared to non exposed subjects.

Key words: Allergic sensitization, dog allergen, exposure, respiratory allergy, skin prick test.