Rat and mouse urinary antigens found in beds at homes of lab animal workers

The study compares mattress dust from the homes of laboratory animal workers and unexposed controls, finding more rat and mouse urinary antigens in the beds of laboratory animal workers. None wore hair protection at work, which were shown to be a source of antigen. Contact with laboratory animal workers outside the workplace can provoke symptoms in sensitised patients; this paper provides evidence and a mechanism for spread outside the workplace.

References

	Krop EJM, Doekes G, Stone MJ, Aalberse RC, van der Zee JS, Spreading of occupational allergens: laboratory animal allergens on hair-covering caps and in mattress dust of laboratory animal workers, Occup Environ Med, 2007;64:267-272,

Comments