Allergy to laboratory animals in health care personnel

Lab animal allergy is a frequent affliction of health care and research personnel whose work involves contact with lab animals. It affects up to 30% of those who are exposed directly and even some workers exposed indirectly, often unwittingly. The consequences of LAA may be severe, including disabling asthma and loss or attenuation of a career. Although recognized for many years, the working-out of the fine details about animals antigens, extracts, and diagnosis and treatment regimens is still far from finished. Not one prospective study longer than one year has been reported, although at least three are underway. It is hoped that information from these studies will contribute to the knowledge about the true incidence of LAA, exposure dose-response, and sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of possible contributory factors such as atopy. The consesus of opinion is that, until the full significance of possible predictive factors is known, judgments concerning employment based on these factors should be avoided. Finally, there is a great need for increased emphasis on the development and objective evaluation of preventive measures.