What is the name of the test for cat allergy

General weakness and even a fever may occur in the background of these symptoms.

Preparation for the test

No special preparation for the study is required. Blood sampling can be carried out after an unobstructed meal. It is acceptable to drink clean non-mineral and non-carbonated water.

Allergy is a state of hypersensitivity of the human body to a certain substance or substances (allergens), which develops after repeated exposure to these substances. The physiological mechanism of allergy lies in the formation of antibodies to allergens in the body, which leads to increased sensitivity. An allergic reaction develops as a result of interaction between the allergen, which is an antigen, and antibodies or sensitized cells. Immunoglobulins, blood cells, circulating immune complexes, and biologically active substances take part in this reaction. In clinical practice, allergic reactions are understood to be manifestations based on an immunological conflict.
The most significant sources of epidermal allergens are pets – cats, dogs. Epidermal allergens are investigated for the purpose of specific diagnosis, since they belong to the category of factors that can be eliminated from the human environment. In some cases where elimination and prediction of contact with animals is not possible, specific immunotherapy is prescribed if the patient is highly sensitive to cat, dog or some other pet allergen.
Cat allergens are highly volatile. It is well known that cats spend a great deal of time licking. They leave large amounts of allergenic saliva on their hair, and the saliva is spread everywhere. In addition, when licking, cats disperse clouds of tiny droplets of saliva into the air – they are literally "atomizers" of allergens.
The cause of the allergy is the so-called Felis domesticus allergen 1 or Pel d 1, which is produced by the salivary and sebaceous glands. It is found in the saliva of the cat and on the cat's skin, and is one-tenth the size of the particles that make up house dust. In addition, allergens are found in urine. All cat allergens are very light, constantly hovering in the air, easily adhere to porous surfaces: carpet, furniture upholstery, drapery, bedding, walls and ceiling. The allergenic properties of animal hair, dander, saliva and urine do not depend on the breed or length of the hair. To varying degrees, one in four people in the world is allergic to cat allergens. Most of these allergies are mild and some people do not notice them. More pronounced clinical manifestations of cat allergy are registered in about 15% of all people. The most common symptoms are bronchial asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis and, less frequently, eczema.
ImmunoCAP (immunofluorescence on three-dimensional porous solid phase, Phadia 250, Phadia)

What is the name of the test for cat allergies

Quantification in the blood of specific class E immunoglobulins to one of the major cat allergens.

Class E specific immunoglobulins to one of the major cat allergens.

ImmunoCAP Allergen e94, Allergen Component rFel d1, Cat; e94, rFel d1 (Cat), IgE Ab in Serum; Cat I; Ag4; Fel d 1-related protein.

What biomaterial can be used for the study?

Pets can be powerful sources of allergens. Non-allergenic cats and pets do not exist in principle.

According to some studies, sensitization to cats is a risk factor for bronchial asthma in childhood. Allergies to cats can manifest as allergic conjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, or atopic dermatitis. The prevalence of sensitization to feline allergens among people with atopy, according to data from various countries, ranges from 1% to 75%. Some people with cat allergy have cross-reactivity to dog, horse and pig meat allergens.

Cat allergens can be found everywhere. They can even be carried on people's hair and detected in hypoallergenic environments, and concentrations can be very high in public places. Cat allergens can persist for months or years in residences where these pets previously resided.

The main cat allergens are found in hair, dander, saliva, urine, and whey. To date, 13 serum and 8 epithelial cat allergens have been isolated, but rFeld1 is the main allergen. It is a uterokinin-like protein with a molecular weight of 38 kDa, which is found in the cat's hair, dander, saliva, lacrimal fluid, and anal gland secretion, but not in its urine and serum. Its secretion depends on the hormonal status and the level of testosterone – males have more of it than females, and after castration the secretion of this protein decreases. It enters the environment in large quantities regardless of the breed, color and length of the cat's coat.

What is the cat allergy test called

Quantification in the blood of specific antibodies, class E immunoglobulins, which appear in the presence of an allergic reaction to cat epithelium and dander.

Specific immunoglobulin class E to cat epithelium and dander.

Specific immunoglobulin E to the cat epithelium and dandruff, Spec. IgE to the cat(serum).

What kind of biomaterial can be used for research?

An allergen is a substance that causes an allergic reaction. There are a huge number of substances of natural or man-made origin, each of which can become an allergen to a person.

The main participant in an immediate (type 1) allergic reaction is class E immunoglobulin (IgE). There is a specific immunoglobulin E for each allergen. The purpose of this test is to determine an allergic reaction to cat epithelium and dander.

There is a misconception that allergies are caused by animal hair, but this is not true. The main activity in the formation of an allergic reaction are excretions (saliva, urine, etc.) and animal dander. Only after contact with the skin of the animal are the allergens transferred to the fur. The allergenic properties of animal hair, dander, saliva and urine do not depend on the breed or length of the hair.

These allergens belong to the epidermal group. This group also includes hair, down, feathers, excrement and saliva from a variety of animals (dogs, guinea pigs, hamsters and other rodents, birds, rabbits, horses, sheep, goats, etc.). They enter the body by air, by contact with animals, by contact with products that contain the allergen (clothing, pillows, blankets). Symptoms of allergy may include redness (hyperemia), skin rashes, urticaria, itching and scratching of the skin, swelling and edema, redness and burning of the mucosa of the eyes, lacrimation, swollen eyelids, sneezing, coughing, shortness of breath, bronchospasm.

Allergen e1 – cat epithelium and dander, IgE (ImmunoCAP)

Quantitative determination of specific antibodies in the blood, immunoglobulin class E, appearing in the presence of an allergic reaction to cat epithelium and dander.

Specific immunoglobulin class E to cat epithelium and dander.

Specific immunoglobulin E to the cat epithelium and dandruff, Spec. IgE to the cat(serum).

Immunofluorescence reaction on three-dimensional porous solid phase, IFL (ImmunoCAP).

What kind of biomaterial can be used for the study?

An allergen is a substance that causes an allergic reaction. There are a huge number of substances of natural or man-made origin, each of which can become an allergen to humans.

The main participant in an immediate (type 1) allergic reaction is class E immunoglobulin (IgE). There is a specific immunoglobulin E for each allergen. The purpose of this test is to determine an allergic reaction to cat epithelium and dander.

There is a misconception that allergies are caused by animal hair, but this is not true. The main activity in the formation of an allergic reaction is in the secretions (saliva, urine, etc.) and dander of the animal. It is only after contact with the skin of the animal that allergens reach the coat. However, the allergenic properties of animal hair, dander, saliva and urine do not depend on the breed or length of the hair.

These allergens belong to the epidermal group. In addition, hair, down, feathers, excrement and saliva of a variety of animals (dogs, guinea pigs, hamsters and other rodents, birds, rabbits, horses, sheep, goats, etc.) also belong to this group. They enter the body through the air, by contact with animals, by contact with products that contain the allergen (clothing, pillows, blankets). Symptoms of allergy may include redness (hyperemia), skin rashes, urticaria, itching and scratching of the skin, swelling and edema, redness and burning of the mucosa of the eyes, lacrimation, swollen eyelids, sneezing, coughing, shortness of breath, bronchospasm.

Cat hair allergen

The cat allergen – One of the most dangerous household allergens of epidermal origin. But it turns out that it is not the hair of cats and cats itself that is dangerous, but precisely the protein on the surface of the hair. Proteins in saliva or fecal particles get on human skin and cause allergies – a pathological reaction of the immune system.

Scarification test procedure

When sensitization to cat hair epidermal allergen is suspected, a scarification test is performed:

1. The skin of the forearm (back) is treated with alcohol. Then several drops of 0.01% histamine solution, a drop each of the aqueous allergen solutions and a drop of the control liquid are applied at a distance of 3-4 cm from each other. Several allergens suspected of causing allergy in an adult or child are applied to the skin at the same time.
2. At the place where the allergen is applied, the scarificator carefully damages the skin (5-7 mm) so as not to hit any blood vessels.
3. The drops are removed after 10 minutes.
4. Then the reaction of the skin is checked.

Detection of allergen: "Cat hair, IgE

Allergies to cat fur can cause more than a dozen allergens, but the most important one is Fel d 1 (from Felis domesticus, domestic cat), which provokes a reaction in 80-85% of cases. This protein is produced by the salivary and sebaceous glands, and is most commonly found on fur. Moreover, its aggressiveness, like other epidermal allergens, does not depend on the length of the coat or the breed of the animal.

Cats spend a great deal of time grooming their fur and thereby spreading the aggressive protein with their saliva throughout the hair. Allergen Fel d 1 is very small. Because of its size, it is highly volatile, so it easily rises into the air when it dries on the coat. Quite often this protein is attached to dust particles, with which it floats in the air for a long time, slowly settling on curtains, furniture, carpets, and removing the cat from the house does not solve the problem. Its allergens can persist in the room for up to a year and a half.

An allergic reaction develops from contact with an animal or inhalation of air with dust particles and allergenic proteins. Symptoms can be varied – dermatitis (most often urticaria), runny nose, shortness of breath, cough, bronchospasm and conjunctivitis accompanied by lacrimation, hyperemia and burning sensation of the mucous membrane of the eyes.

Immunoglobulin E – Specific antibodies. Each allergen corresponds to a different type of antibody that binds it. Immunoglobulin E starts to be produced at the first contact with the allergen and then circulates in the blood for a long time, settling on mast cells. If repeated contact occurs, they combine with the antigen, while the mast cells break down, releasing large amounts of various biologically active substances.

Indications for testing

• Suspicion of an allergy to cat fur, when characteristic symptoms appear on contact.
• Determination of the risk of allergy in children whose parents have hypersensitivity to cat epidermal allergens.
• Assessment of the likelihood of a negative reaction in allergic patients.
• Monitoring the effectiveness of treatment of patients with cat hair allergy.
• Obtaining questionable data after performing skin allergy tests.

As part of the preparation, several rules should be followed:

Patients who take any medications, especially biotin, hormones and antihistamines, should make the attending physician aware of this.

When is an IgE test done?

A blood test for IgE to the cat epithelial allergen is prescribed for:

• Genetic predisposition to allergy;
• Suspicion of increased susceptibility to epidermal allergens;
• An increase in the blood level of total immunoglobulin isotype E above 120 U/ml;
• positive skin test results;
• monitoring the effectiveness of allergen-specific therapy.

Rules for test preparation

Immunological tests are performed from serum devoid of fibrinogen. Its sample is obtained by centrifugation of venous blood collected in the morning, on an empty stomach.

The patient should prepare for the venipuncture as follows:

1. Refrain from consuming highly allergenic foods, caffeine-containing, carbonated and alcoholic beverages.
2. Limit contact with pets and smoking.
3. Avoid taking medications.
4. Avoid stress and excessive physical exertion.

House dust mites

The allergens of house dust mites were first identified not so long ago, about 40 years ago. The most common allergic reactions are caused by mites belonging to the species Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, Dermatophagoides microceras and Euroglyphus maynei.

Sources of tick allergens are the body of the tick and its feces. The highest concentration of these arthropods is observed under beds, in mattresses, pillows, bedding, carpets, soft toys.

Favorable conditions for their reproduction are high humidity and temperatures above 20°C. If humidity decreases and becomes dry, the infestation may occur. If humidity is reduced and becomes dry, the mites usually die.

Cockroaches and moths

Inhalation of insect particles can trigger an IgE-linked immune response and respiratory allergy symptoms. Among the thousands of varieties of cockroaches, red and black cockroaches are the most common allergies. Cockroach allergens are found in their saliva and feces. Moths that live in clothing closets and "eat" wool and fur can also cause an allergic attack.

Microscopic mold fungi like to settle in damp rooms – in the kitchen, bathroom, in flower pots. Their spores are volatile and so small in size that they easily penetrate the human respiratory tract. Lingering in the lungs, they cause coughing spasms, and getting on the skin and mucous membranes of the eyes – irritation, itching and burning.

Treatment

If diagnosis has confirmed cat allergy, the patient has several important decisions to make. Treatment of cat allergy is mainly to relieve symptoms, general relief and prevention. It is impossible to completely eliminate the disease and, as with all allergies, the key is to eliminate contact with the allergen. Therefore, if a person suffers from allergies, but at the same time does not imagine his life without a pet, then he will have to adjust his lifestyle and constantly take anti-allergy medications.

Due attention will have to pay cleaning the apartment. It should be regular. Be sure to use a powerful vacuum cleaner, which will remove hair from carpets, sofas.

There is another available option – cats that do not cause allergies. There are also hypoallergenic cat breeds. It cannot be said that cat protein secretion in these breeds is completely absent. The allergen is excreted, but in much smaller amounts. Therefore, depending on the degree of sensitivity in some people it may not cause an allergic reaction at all, and in some people its manifestations will be insignificant.

What cats do not cause allergies in an intensive form? Such are cats with thick, curly hair, such as the Cornish Rex. Due to their thick coats, hair loss is less frequent and they don't spread around as much. But it is certainly not recommended to have a fluffy cat with a thick undercoat, and people prone to allergies. They shed easily, as a result of which the hair is spread throughout the room and accumulates on the objects of interior. Particularly dangerous in terms of cat hair accumulation are carpets, bedspreads, palaces, pillows and plaids, soft toys and other items that have a soft surface.

Minimal problems await owners of cats of the Sphynx breed. And to minimize the effects of cat protein secreted, they should be bathed regularly – on average 1-2 times a week.

Preventive measures

If you want to have a cat, you should try to find out how your body and your family react to possible allergies. For example, visit friends or acquaintances who already have a cat. It is better if the communication is long, not five minutes, because the allergic reaction may not manifest itself immediately. If no signs of allergy were observed after the experiments, you can say with a high degree of probability that there is no allergy.

If you know that you are prone to allergic reactions, but love for cats does not allow you to give up a pet completely, then before you get a kitten, it is necessary to carefully consider the choice of breed. Hypoallergenic breeds will make life a lot easier for an allergic person.

But what about if you already have a cat and were later diagnosed with allergies? In such a case, the following preventive measures should be taken to reduce the symptoms of allergies and maintain a normal condition:

• Minimize direct contact with the animal as much as possible;
• take special anti-allergy medications;
• bathe the pet, and afterwards comb out the fur at least once a week (if possible this should be left to household members who do not suffer from allergies);
• if possible, remove carpets, rugs, rugs, plaids and other soft coverings that can accumulate hair;
• ventilate the room regularly;
• do not leave personal items and items of your closet in a place accessible to the pet.