Reaginic sensitivity to Mus musculus extract in a group of Chicago urban asthmatics

Thirty-nine out of 103 urban asthmatics reacted on prick test to rodent hair extract (MME). One out of 68 and one out of 50 reacted among suburban asthmatics and normal controls, respectively. Ten skin-test reactive and three non-reactive urban asthmatics underwent bronchial provocative challenge tests (BPT). Results were significant at p less than 0.001. Twenty-one out of 26 skin-reactive and one out of 25 skin non-reactive asthmatics had specific IgE antibody, p less than 0.001. These data suggest that rodent hair might be a relevant allergen in some urban asthmatics.