Allergic rhinitis in laboratory workers caused by occupational exposure to guinea pigs: an immunological and clinical study.

Occupational exposure in laboratory workers to various animals can result in clinically significant respiratory allergies. We used clinical and immunological methods to study five laboratory workers who exhibited symptoms of nasal allergy upon occupational exposure to guinea pigs. As compared with a control group of ten nonallergic laboratory workers, the symptomatic workers generally had positive skin test reactions for allergens derived from the urine, saliva, and pelts of the guinea pigs. The study group with symptoms also showed high serum levels of specific IgE and demonstrated an immediate, positive reaction to nasal provocation testing with urine-derived antigen. However, specific IgG values in the sera of these patients did not differ significantly from control values. Overall results indicated that a type 1 allergy was involved.