BACKGROUND Cat allergy is of great importance, and its prevalence is increasing worldwide. Cat allergens and house dust mite allergens represent the major indoor allergens; however, they are ubiquitous. Cat sensitization and allergy are known risk factors for rhinitis, bronchial hyperreactivity and asthma. Thus, the diagnosis of sensitization to cats is important for any allergist. METHODS 70...

The prediction of side-effects is a key issue in the REACH initiative on chemicals in the preclinical testing of drugs. The dermal irritation and skin sensitization toxicity potential of a new molecule, vitacoxib, were invested in rabbits and guinea pigs in compliance with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development guideline. To assess dermal irritation, rabbits were dermally att...

One of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Method's (ICCVAM) top priorities is the development and evaluation of non-animal approaches to identify potential skin sensitizers. The complexity of biological events necessary to produce skin sensitization suggests that no single alternative method will replace the currently accepted animal tests. ICCVAM is evaluat...

BACKGROUND Sensitivity and symptoms related to animal proteins have been investigated in various occupational groups. However, data from pet shops are limited. AIMS To investigate rates of sensitivity to cats and dogs among pet shop workers, to assess the relationship between sensitivity, allergen levels and symptoms and to investigate whether passive transport from pet shops to homes is poss...

In view of the forthcoming European Union ban on in vivo testing of cosmetic and toiletry ingredients, following the publication of the 7th amendment to the Cosmetics Directive, the search for practical, alternative, non-animal approaches is gathering pace. For the end-point of skin sensitization, the ultimate goal, i.e. the development and validation of alternative in vitro/in silico assays by...

Descending controls of spinal nociceptive processing play a critical role in the development of inflammatory hyperalgesia. Acute peripheral nociceptor sensitization drives spinal sensitization and activates spino-supraspinal-spinal loops leading to descending inhibitory and facilitatory controls of spinal neuronal activity that further modify the extent and degree of the pain state. The afferen...

Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD) is a common work-related skin disease that often develops as a result of repetitive skin exposures to a sensitizing chemical agent. A variety of experimental tests have been suggested to assess the skin sensitization potential. We applied a method of Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) to relate measured and calculated physical-chemical properti...

Allergic contact dermatitis resulting from skin sensitization is a common occupational and environmental health problem. In recent years, the local lymph node assay (LLNA) has emerged as a practical option for assessing the skin sensitization potential of chemicals. In addition to accurate identification of skin sensitizers, the LLNA can also provide a reliable measure of relative sensitization...

BACKGROUND Immune responses in allergic diseases begin with allergen sensitization, which usually occurs in childhood. Allergen sensitization involves a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors, and sensitization patterns may change with age. OBJECTIVE To determine the predictors of allergen sensitization in the first 3 years of life in the growing up in Singapore towards health...