[Allergy to laboratory animals. A new problem of the occupational environment]

Allergy to laboratory animals is a well-known occupational disease among personnel engaged in work with such animals. This review summarizes some of the current knowledge about allergy to mice and rats. About 20 per cent of the exposed workers have symptoms. Many of them suffer from bronchial obstruction. Specific allergens have been isolated; they are serum or urinary proteins. The article discusses management and control of the disease, with the emphasis on employment issues and environmental prophylaxis.