Characterization of occupational sensitization by multiallergen immunoblotting in workers exposed to laboratory animals.

Background: Studies have estimated that 10% to 23% of workers exposed to laboratory animals report symptoms of laboratory animal allergy.

Objectives: To determine the level of occupational sensitization in workers exposed to laboratory animals and to develop a diagnosis system based on a multiallergen IgE immunoblot.

Methods: A total of 75 workers exposed to laboratory animals were initially studied with skin prick tests performed with animal epithelia extracts.