[Sensitization in budgerigar owners]

In a prospective study 258 adults were investigated for sensitisation against bird antigens (budgerigar, canary, pigeon) using intracutaneous test. 18 of 78 budgerigar keepers were sensitised against budgerigar feathers. 30 (38%) showed a positive skin reaction at least with one of the three extracts tested. In none bird exposed persons a sensitisation was found in 18/96 (19%) against budgerigar and in 24/96 (25%) against at least one of the three allergen extracts. Late reactions occurred in 5/70 (7%) budgerigar keepers, 4/5 with pigeon feathers. The frequency of sensitisation against budgerigar antigens increased to 48% of bird keepers (24/50) if the birds could fly in their homes instead of being caged always (4/22, 18%). Three of the 78 budgerigar keepers (4%) had a positive nasal provocation with feathers extract, they were skin positive against all three bird antigens tested.