The effects of dog ownership on IgE and IgG antibodies among school age children in Sweden☆

Abstract 

Rationale

Exposure to high levels of cat and dog allergens, has been associated with decreased sensitization or tolerance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of IgE and IgG ab to dog in an area where sensitivity to cat and dog is relatively common.

Methods

A cohort of ∼800 children living in northern Sweden completed questionnaires addressing pet ownership, underwent skin testing, and provided serum that was assayed for specific IgE ab to dog allergen and IgG and IgG4 ab to Can f 1.

Results

In this cohort, only 116 children lived with a cat but sensitization was common, and >80% of the cat allergic children had never lived in a house with a cat (p<0.001). Twice as many children had a dog (n=258) however dog IgE was less common. Although most of the dog allergic children (70 vs 33) did not live in a house with a dog, this effect was not significant. In contrast, nonallergic children living in a house with a dog were significantly more likely to have IgG ab to Can f 1 (p<0.001). Furthermore, IgG4 ab were more common among nonallergic children living with a dog (17 vs 1).

Conclusion

The majority of the children had no detectable antibodies to dog allergns; however, there was evidence for a “modified Th2” response in a minority (18/800). The results suggest that allergens differ not only in dose and particle size but also in the potential of the allergen to induce either “tolerance” or sensitization.

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