Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Anaphylaxis after laboratory rat bite: an occupational hazard

J D Hesford1, T A Platts-Mills, R F Edlich

  • 1Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville 22908, USA.

The Journal of Emergency Medicine
|November 1, 1995
PubMed
Summary

Laboratory animal allergy is common, with one in five workers developing symptoms like asthma within three years. A rare case highlights the risk of severe anaphylaxis from a rat bite in sensitized individuals.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Traumatic chronic TMJ dislocation: report of an unusual case and discussion of management.

The Journal of cranio-maxillofacial trauma·2002
Same author

The scientific basis for selecting wound-closure techniques.

Journal of long-term effects of medical implants·2001
Same author

Hazards of powder on surgical and examination gloves: a collective review.

Journal of long-term effects of medical implants·2001
Same author

The scientific basis for selecting surgical sutures.

Journal of long-term effects of medical implants·2001
Same author

An innovative absorbable coating for the polybutester suture.

Journal of long-term effects of medical implants·2001
Same author

Biomechanical performance of new cardiovascular needles.

Journal of long-term effects of medical implants·2001

Area of Science:

  • Occupational Health
  • Allergology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Workers handling laboratory animals face risks of developing allergies, including asthma, rhinitis, and skin reactions.
  • Pre-existing environmental allergies increase susceptibility to laboratory animal allergies and asthma development.

Observation:

  • A case study details a laboratory research director experiencing life-threatening anaphylaxis after a rat bite.
  • The individual had a known allergy to rat urinary protein, a common allergen in laboratory settings.

Findings:

  • Approximately 20% of scientists and technicians handling small animals develop allergy symptoms within three years.
  • Severe reactions, such as anaphylaxis from rodent bites, are rare but possible in sensitized individuals.

Related Experiment Videos

Implications:

  • Highlights the importance of recognizing and managing occupational allergies in laboratory animal handlers.
  • Emphasizes the need for vigilance regarding potential severe allergic reactions, even from common exposures like rodent bites.
  • Suggests that individuals with pre-existing allergies may require specific preventative measures in animal research environments.