[Prevalence of immediate allergy to respiratory allergens in fodder farmers in Doubs].

The Doubs is a damp, semi-mountainous fodder farming department in which occupational respiratory diseases (including asthma) are common in farmers. We studied the prevalence of IgE-mediated allergy (total IgE, Phadiatop and skin prick tests) in a group of 265 exclusive dairy farmers of both sexes of the department and in a control group of non exposed, administrative workers living in the same area. Skin prick tests were: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Acarus siro, cat hair, cow danders, grass pollens, betullacea pollens (trees from the East of France), and hay extracts from the Doubs. Total IgE were higher than 180 KUI/l in 26 (9.9%) farmers and in 15 (10.5%) controls (NS). Phadiatop was positive in 41 (15.7%) farmers and in 27 (19%) controls (NS). Prevalence of positive skin prick tests (at least one) in farmers and controls was respectively 36% and 40% (NS). Farmers were more frequently sensitized to hay extracts (OR = 1.7), cow danders (OR = 1.3) and less frequently to cat hair (OR = 0.63) than controls but the differences were not statistically significant. In conclusion, this study fails to give evidence of a risk of IgE-mediated allergy to work-related and other common inhalation allergens in dairy farmers the Doubs.