[Frequency and correlative relation of diagnostic criteria in animal dander allergy]

355 out-patients with signs of bronchial asthma were studied with special reference to animal dander sensitization. Case histories allowed the clinical diagnosis of an allergy to animal dander in 75 patients (21.1%). Skin testing is a useful means, as large reactions appear in most cases of animal dander allergy (60.7% are greater than or equal to + + + -reactions). Skin reactions, however, often are "false positive" or "false negative". Therefore, bronchial provocation tests are necessary if the case history is doubtful and/or the skin reaction is less than a + + + -reaction. There is a positive correlation between skin reaction and bronchial provocation test. No negative inhalation tests were seen when the skin reaction was greater than + + +. However, a positive inhalation test can be correlated with a negative or weakly positive skin test. The probability of common structural properties of different mammalian dander allergens is discussed. Avoidance of exposure to the animal is recommended as the therapy of choice.