anthrozoology.org
Research in Human-Animal Interaction
Pets & human asthma,allergy & immune system
The Relationship Between Social Roles and Self-Management Behavior in Women Living with HIV/AIDS
Women's Health Issues
Perinatal cat and dog exposure and the risk of asthma and allergy in the urban environment
Perinatal cat and dog exposure and the risk of asthma and allergy in the urban environment: a systematic review of longitudinal studies.
Opposing effects of cat and dog ownership and allergic sensitization on eczema in an atopic birth cohort.
Epstein TG, Bernstein DI, Levin L, Khurana Hershey GK, Ryan PH, Reponen T, Villareal M, Lockey JE, Lemasters GK.
Pet exposure and the symptoms of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema in 6-7 years old children.
Karimi, Mehran. Mirzaei, Mohsen. Baghiani Moghadam, Behnam. Fotouhi, Ehsan. Zare Mehrjardi, Atefeh.
Should immunocompromised patients have pets?.
Steele, Russell W.
Pet Exposure and the Symptoms of Asthma, Allergic Rhinitis and Eczema in 6-7 years old Children.
Karimi, Mehran. Mirzaei, Mohsen. Baghiani Moghadam, Behnam. Fotouhi, Ehsan. Zare Mehrjardi, Atefeh.
Is sensitization to furry animals an independent allergic phenotype in nonoccupationally exposed individuals?.
Liccardi, G. Passalacqua, G. Salzillo, A. Piccolo, A. Falagiani, P. Russo, M. Canonica, G W. D'Amato, G.
Effect of household pet ownership on infant immune response and subsequent sensitization.
Simpson, Angela.
Human allergy to environmental pet danders: a public health perspective.
Morris, Daniel O.
Human allergy to environmental pet danders: a public health perspective
Morris, D. O.
Veterinary Dermatology. 2010. 21: 5, 441-449.
The prevalence of human allergy to pet danders has increased rapidly over the past six decades, as a consequence of lifestyle changes that have enhanced ambient exposure to pet allergens. This is a problem of global public health importance, as the morbidity associated with allergic diseases disproportionately affects socio-economically disadvantaged populations, particularly children. Although the public often seeks advice from veterinary health-care professionals regarding healthy pet ownership practices, including strategies for reducing residential pet dander exposure, many misconceptions persist in the public domain regarding pet dander allergy, such as the belief that certain dog and cat breeds are 'hypoallergenic' due to their hair/coat type. This review considers the epidemiology of human exposure to the major cat and dog dander allergens, Fel d 1 and Can f 1 respectively, and the sensitization mechanisms to them, including the hygiene hypothesis and the putative role of bacterial endotoxin. The literature regarding primary and secondary exposures in different ambient environments is explored including threshold effects that influence allergen sensitization and elicitation of symptoms, and environmental intervention strategies that seek to reduce allergen exposure. Pet-specific factors, including the aetiopathogenesis of the several cat and dog allergens that have been characterized to the molecular level, individual animal characteristics that influence Fel d 1 and Can f 1 shedding, and pet-directed interventions intended to reduce allergen dispersal, are discussed.
