Cutaneous and serological responses to cat allergen in adults exposed or not to cats

Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that direct cat exposure in adolescents and adults with respiratory allergy is associated with a lower cutaneous response to cat allergenic extract, assessed by SPT and compared with indirect exposure. In patients with cat at home mean levels of specific IgE are statistically comparable whereas the levels of IgG4 are higher in comparison with subjects not exposed to cats. The role of indirect exposure to cat allergens in airways sensitization also in adults is emphasized. Moreover, patients with cat at home show a cutaneous and serological sensitization to cat allergen not higher in comparison with subjects not exposed to cats.