Allergic sensitization to lipocalins reflects asthma morbidity in dog dander sensitized children

Sensitization to dog is an important risk factor for asthma in children, but the clinical relevance of IgE to available dog- and furry animal allergen molecules is uncertain.

Spirometry, methacholine challenge, fraction of exhaled nitric oxide, nasal challenge with dog extract and questionnaires were performed in 59 dog-sensitized children (age 10-18 years). Serum IgE to dog-, cat-, horse extracts and the allergen molecules Can f 1-6, Fel d 1, Fel d 2, Fel d 4 and Equ c 1 were evaluated.

Median numbers of positive IgE results to furry animal allergen molecules among children without asthma was 3, with asthma 5.5 and with troublesome asthma 9 (asthma vs. no asthma; p = 0.039; troublesome asthma vs. no asthma; p = 0.009). The odds ratio for asthma if sensitized to any lipocalin was 7.2 (95% confidence Interval: 1.44-35.9). Children with troublesome asthma had higher IgE levels to the lipocalins Can f 2, Can f 4 and Can f 6 compared to the rest of the study population (44 vs. 4.1 kU_A/L, p = 0.015; 5.8 vs. 0.9 kU_A/L, p = 0.018 and 1.3 vs. 0.7 kU_A/L, p = 0.03 respectively). Furthermore, a positive nasal challenge was more common among children with troublesome asthma (83% vs. 36%, p = 0.036).

Polysensitization to furry animal allergens and lipocalins is associated with asthma in dog-sensitized children. Children with troublesome asthma have higher IgE levels to several dog lipocalins than other dog sensitized children.

Polysensitization to furry animal allergens and high IgE levels to the dog lipocalins Can f 2, Can f 4 and Can f 6 is associated with asthma severity in dog dander sensitized children. Molecular allergy diagnostics may thus help the clinicians to evaluate the impact of allergic sensitization on asthma morbidity.