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Published on: August 7, 2017
Characteristics of children with cat sensitivity: a prospective cross-sectional study
Ezgi Ulusoy Severcan1, Nevzat Başkaya1, Ayşegül Ertuğrul1
1Department of Pediatric Immunology and Allergy, University of Health Sciences, Dr. Sami Ulus Maternity and Children Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Insights
Cat sensitivity is common in children, often linked to asthma and allergic rhinitis. Many sensitive children don't own cats, but elevated IgE levels warrant evaluation for cat sensitivity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Clinical Immunology
Background:
- Animal dander, particularly cat allergen, is a significant trigger for respiratory allergies in children.
- Cat sensitivity is recognized as a risk factor for developing asthma and allergic rhinitis.
- Understanding the characteristics of children with cat sensitivity is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate children diagnosed with cat sensitivity.
- To identify the demographic and clinical features of this patient group.
- To explore the relationship between cat exposure and sensitivity.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study of patients undergoing skin prick testing for cat sensitivity over one year.
- Inclusion of two control groups for comparison.
- Data collection via questionnaires on demographic and clinical characteristics.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of cat sensitivity in the allergy clinic was 6%.
- Allergic rhinitis (41.8%) and asthma (25.8%) were the most common diagnoses.
- Elevated eosinophilia (54.6%) and total IgE levels (>1000 IU/mL, 17.3%) were significantly higher in sensitive patients.
Conclusions:
- Cat ownership is not a prerequisite for developing cat sensitivity.
- A significant portion of children with cat sensitivity are not cat owners.
- Elevated total IgE levels in children may indicate underlying cat sensitivity, necessitating evaluation even in asymptomatic individuals.
Background:
Animal dander is one of the most common respiratory allergens in children, and there is evidence that cat sensitivity is a risk factor for asthma and allergic rhinitis. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate children with cat sensitivity and to identify their demographic and clinical characteristics.
Methods:
Patients who were found to be sensitive to cats following skin prick tests performed in our allergy clinic over a period of one year (and two control groups), were included in the study. Patients in the study and control groups filled in a questionnaire including demographic and clinical characteristics.
Results:
The prevalence of cat sensitivity in our allergy clinic was 6% (182/3033). The most common diagnoses in patients were 41.8% allergic rhinitis, 25.8% asthma, and 13.2% allergic rhinitis + asthma. Allergic rhinitis symptoms were the most prevalent symptom associated with cat contact (29.4%), whereas 28% of the patients were asymptomatic. Only 17.3% had a cat at home and 13.4% had cat exposure apart from home but having a cat at home was significantly higher than the control groups (p < 0.05). Eosinophilia was present in 54.6% of the patients, and 17.3% had blood tIgE levels of >1000 IU/mL. Eosinophilia and tIgE levels were significantly higher than both control groups (p < 0.05).
Discussion:
Cat ownership can affect the development of cat sensitivity but the majority of patients with cat sensitivity are not cat owners. Elevated tIgE levels (> 1000 IU/mL) may be associated with cat sensitivity, these patients should be evaluated for cat sensitivity, even if they do not report symptoms with cat contact.
