Effect of Cat and Dog Ownership on Sensitization and Development of Asthma among Preteenage Children

• DOI: 10.1164/rccm.2201035
• Publication Date: 2002-08-31T00:41:46Z
• Authors: Matthew S. Perzan...; Eva Rönmark; Thomas A. E. Plat...; Bo Lundbäck
• Keywords: Hygiene hypothesis

An inverse relationship has been proposed between exposure to high quantities of cat allergen at home and both asthma allergy. First- second-grade children from Luleå, Kiruna, Piteå, Sweden participated in an questionnaire study (n = 3,431) incidence was evaluated over the next 3 years. Skin testing performed on Luleå Kiruna 2,149). The strongest risk factor for incident cases Type 1 allergy (relative [RR], 4.9 [2.9–8.4]), followed by a family history (RR, 2.83 [1.8–4.5]). Living with inversely related having positive skin test 0.62 [0.47–0.83]) physician-diagnosed 0.49 [0.28–0.83]). This effect most pronounced among 0.25 [0.08–0.80]). evidence also suggests that many exposed cats can develop immune response does not include immunoglobulin E. Weaker protective trends were seen dog ownership. traditional thinking owning provide protection against developing those needs be re-evaluated. In community where sensitization strongly associated asthma, prevalent asthma.