The characteristics, treatment and prevention of laboratory animal allergy

Immunization of laboratory animal workers: occupational health and safety aspects

Occupational immunization is an integral part of institutional occupational safety and health (OSH) programs. Laboratory animal workers (LAWs) are personnel working with various small and large vertebrate animals. LAWs are at the risk of contracting a myriad of zoonotic infections as they are occupationally exposed to animals and their biological products. Immunizing employees against such zoonotic pathogens is the best way to prevent disease transmission. This review provides information on various zoonotic diseases, vaccines available to protect against such infections, and vaccination schedules. Certain sections of institutional occupational immunization programs such as risk evaluation, immunizing special categories of personnel and exemption from immunization among others are also described. Additionally, the authors have discussed various probable modes of impact through which occupational immunization of laboratory animal workers fulfills different United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

From workplace to home environment: spreading of mouse allergens by laboratory animal workers

PURPOSE

Laboratory animal workers (LAW) working with laboratory mice are exposed to mouse allergens (MA). If MA are spread to home environments, this might increase the risk for allergies in LAW and their families. This study aimed to assess 1. whether spreading of MA from workplace to home environment takes place; 2. which factors increase spreading of MA.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study, dust samples were taken on the mattress and seating in homes of LAW (n = 105) and an unexposed comparison group (n = 13). From 89 LAW, additional dust samples were taken from their workplaces. Samples were analysed using Mus m1 ELISA kits [detection limit (DL) 0.2 ng mus m1/ml]. Sociodemographic data, personal history of allergies and cleaning habits, as well as work-related characteristics (LAW only) were assessed by questionnaire. Latent factors were assessed via factor analysis. Tobit models were fitted to analyse the latent factors' contribution to MA spreading.

RESULTS

MA concentration on the seating was significantly higher in home environments of LAW (median = 1.28 ng mus m1/m²) than in the comparison group (median < DL, p = 0.019). The highest workplace MA concentration was found on the floor of the scullery (median = 140,000.00 ng mus m1/m²), followed by hair-covering caps (median = 76.02 ng mus m1/m²). Cage and mouse facility cleaning tasks and infrequent changing of bed linen at home were statistically significantly associated with higher MA concentrations at home.

CONCLUSIONS

Spreading of MA from LAW's workplace to their home environment takes place, especially among LAWs involved in cleaning tasks.

Exposição prolongada a animais de laboratório está associada ao aumento de casos de asma

Resumo Objetivo: descrever o resultado do acompanhamento de trabalhadores sensibilizados a animais de laboratório que prolongaram sua exposição. Métodos: após um período de aproximadamente 7 anos, entramos em contato com todos os indivíduos com sensibilização alérgica ocupacional detectada em estudo anterior. Um questionário foi aplicado para situação ocupacional atual, relação entre alergia e a decisão de deixar o trabalho ou exposição e para asma, sibilância, rinite, sintomas cutâneos e dispneia noturna. Resultados: dos 74 indivíduos com sensibilização ocupacional, 45 responderam ao questionário na segunda avaliação e 37 ainda estavam expostos. Ao comparar os dados da primeira avaliação com os da avaliação atual, observou-se um aumento na frequência de asma. Na primeira avaliação, entre todos os sensibilizados (n = 74), 27,0% responderam sim a ambas as questões “Você tem ou já teve asma?” e “A asma foi diagnosticada por um médico?”. Na segunda avaliação, 7 anos depois, dos 37 sujeitos que ainda estavam expostos, 51,3% responderam sim a essas questões (OR: 2,80; IC95%: 1,23-6,38; p = 0,013). Não houve mudança na frequência de respostas positivas às outras perguntas. Conclusão: os dados demonstram aumento da frequência de asma entre trabalhadores com sensibilização ocupacional que prolongam a exposição a animais de laboratório.

How Working Tasks Influence Biocontamination in an Animal Facility

The exposure to biocontaminants in animal facilities represents a risk for developing infectious, allergic and toxic diseases. The aim of this study was to determine what factors could be associated with a high level of exposure to biological agents through the measure and characterization of airborne fungi, bacteria, endotoxin, (1,3)-β-d-glucan and animal allergens. Airborne microorganisms were collected with an air sampler and identified by microscopic and biochemical methods. Endotoxin, (1,3)-β-d-glucan, Mus m 1, Rat n 1, Can f 1, Fel d 1, Equ c 4 allergens were detected on inhalable dust samples by Kinetic LAL, Glucatell, and ELISA assays, respectively. Our data evidenced that changing cages is a determinant factor in increasing the concentration of the airborne biocontaminants; the preparation of bedding and distribution of feed, performed in the storage area, is another critical working task in terms of exposure to endotoxins (210.7 EU/m3) and (1,3)-β-d-glucans (4.3 ng/m3). The highest concentration of Mus m 1 allergen (61.5 ng/m3) was observed in the dirty washing area. The detection of expositive peaks at risk of sensitization (>2 μg/g) by Fel d 1 in animal rooms shows passive transport by operators themselves, highlighting their role as vehicle between occupational and living environments.

Fatal and non-fatal animal-related injuries and illnesses to workers, United States, 2011-2014

BACKGROUND

Study provides update of national estimates for work-related fatal injuries and non-fatal injuries and illnesses by animals in US.

METHODS

Between 2011 and 2014, injuries and illnesses were retrieved from US Department of Labor and were translated to economic losses using National Safety Council estimates.

RESULTS

Total of 222 fatalities (36% by cattle and other bovines) and 71 460 non-fatal injuries and illnesses (38% by insects, arachnids, mites) were identified from animal sources. For non-fatal injuries and illnesses from primary animal sources, annual incidence rates were 1.5-1.6/10 000 full-time workers and annual median days lost from work were 3-4 days. Work-related costs were $222M for fatalities and $2.8B for non-fatal injuries and illnesses that resulted in at least 1 day lost from work.

CONCLUSIONS

Study provides evidence of specific animals contributing to more severe injuries and potential for more severe injuries when there is more than one source of injury.