Sensitization patterns to cat molecular allergens in subjects with allergic sensitization to cat dander.

BACKGROUND

The use of molecular allergology has increasingly become common in the diagnosis and management of allergic diseases. However, there is still a lack of data on cat molecular allergens in adults. Therefore, we aimed to uncover the sensitization patterns to cat molecular allergens.

METHODS

Participants were recruited from the West Asthma Sweden Study, a population-based study enriched with asthma subjects aged 16-75 years. Of 1872, 361 individuals were positive for cat dander immunoglobulin E and were further analysed for cat molecular allergens (Fel d 1/2/4/7). Sensitization patterns were classified as monosensitization, polysensitization, and concomitant sensitization, and were related to demographic and clinical measurements.

RESULTS

Among cat-sensitized subjects, 84.2% were sensitized to secretoglobin, while 42.4% were sensitized to lipocalins. Nearly half of the subjects were monosensitized to Fel d 1. Polysensitization was observed in 20.2%, and concomitant sensitization to protein families was seen in 7.2%. Asthma prevalence, cat exposure, and rural living were associated with poly- and concomitant sensitization to protein families. Concomitant sensitization to single allergens was more common in those with asthma than in those without, while concomitant sensitization to both Fel d 1 and Fel d 4 was the most common pattern in individuals with asthma. Sensitization patterns also differed according to cat ownership and the degree of urbanization.

CONCLUSION

Sensitization to molecular allergens was observed in 90.9% of cat-sensitized subjects and showed variations across participants' background characteristics and the presence of asthma. Identification of sensitization patterns to cat allergens might provide better characterization of cat-allergic subjects.