Reference

BOHRF Original Authors' Main Conclusions

The original authors' main conclusions are taken from Abstract, Results and Discussion. They are decided upon by the authors of the BOHRF occupational asthma guidelines and form part of the guidelines.

In a 5-year follow-up study of 88 animal exposed laboratory technicians, the incidence of laboratory animal allergy (LAA), lung function, and the development of allergy test reactivity were investigated. Only 2 individuals developed test positive LAA rhinitis during the follow-up period. Furthermore, 1 subject who had previously had LAA rhinitis developed LAA asthma. In the remaining subjects the results of skin prick tests against laboratory animals and environmental allergens, total serum IgE levels, and lung function were unchanged. Atopy defined as parental and childhood allergy, raised total serum IgE levels, and positive skin prick tests against non-animal environmental allergens and non-laboratory animals were risk indicators for development of test positive LAA asthma. The low incidence of LAA during the 5-year follow-up is interpreted as a result of an early LAA development in atopic subjects.

BOHRF Associated Evidence Statements

The BOHRF occupational asthma guidelines state that this reference is associated with the following evidence statements