Abstract
BACKGROUND: Over the last few decades, there was observed an increase of asthma and allergic rhinitis cases caused by allergy to pets. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze molecular sensitization patterns to dog and cat allergens in Lithuanian children who were experiencing allergy-like symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 574 children (0-18 years) were tested for allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) levels with ALEX(2) (ALEX(2®), Allergy Explorer Test System). Positive sera were further analyzed for sensitization to cat (Fel d 1, Fel d 2, Fel d 4, and Fel d 7) and dog (Can f 1, Can f 2, Can f 3, Can f 4, Can f 5, and Can f 6) allergen components. RESULTS: Two hundred forty-seven children tested positive (sIgE ≥0.3 kUA/L) to at least 1 dog or cat allergen component. There were 61.1% children sensitized to components from both sources, 29.2% - exclusively to cat, and 9.7% - to dog components. The major sensitizers were Fel d 1 (84.8%) and Can f 1 (59.4%). There were 42.9% patients sensitized to 3 or more different mammalian protein families and 40.4% - to 3 or more lipocalins. There were 5.7% of children sensitized both to Fel d 1 + Fel d 4 and Can f 1/2 + Can f 5, indicating the high risk of severe asthma. Monosensitization to Fel d 1 was the dominant pattern among Lithuanian children (26.3%). CONCLUSION: The majority of children were cat/dog-polysensitized, although sensitization only to cat allergens was most observed. Extensive molecular profiling can be an useful tool for accurate true sensitization diagnosis and prognosis of disease severity.