Allergens in Cow Hair and Dander

Abstract

Quantitative immunoelectrophoretic methods were used for the analysis of the allergens in cow hair and dander and for comparison with related preparations. The immunoelectrophoretic precipitation pattern of an extract from cow hair and dander showed 17 precipitates. Crossed radioimmunoelectrophoresis showed four of these to be major allergens of the extract, and these allergens are common major allergens in four investigated cow breeds. The allergens are associated predominantly with hair and dander, but they were also demonstrated in cow saliva, urine, whey, amniotic fluid and beef, as well as in cow-hide products. Allergens displaying partial immunological identity with the major allergens of cow hair and dander were found in extracts from goat and sheep pelts, in products made of these materials such as carpet and knitting wool, and in carpets made of animal hair.

Development of a Sandwich ELISA to Measure Exposure to Occupational Cow Hair Allergens

“…SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that all hair extracts showed nearly identical protein patterns and that each had a dominant Bos d 2 band. These results are in accordance with previous studies that have shown only minor interindividual differences in protein patterns [3,24]. In contrast, considerable inter- and within-breed variations were seen in horse and dog allergen extracts [25,26], but no breed-specific allergens were found.…”

“…milk and beef, or from leather materials. The presence of allergens in such products has been demonstrated by Prahl [3]. In concordance with this observation, milk gave a positive reaction in the present assay (data not shown).…”

“…Early investigations of bovine dander extracts have identified 17 different antigenic components. Three of these, having molecular weights (MWs) of 24, 22 and 20 kDa, have been characterized as major allergens [3,4,5]. Subsequent studies have shown that the 20-kDa protein, designated as Bos d 2, is the most important allergen in cow antigen extracts [6,7,8,9].…”

“…The main sources of bovine allergens are cow hair and dander, but allergens are also found in urine, saliva, milk and beef [3]. Early investigations of bovine dander extracts have identified 17 different antigenic components.…”

Animals in the Aetiology of Asthma

“…The role of animals in occupational asthma is well recognized. Veterinary surgeons, stockmen and others whose occupation or leisure pursuits require close association with animals may experience allergic reactions including asthma to allergens derived from them, as demonstrated for example from the horse (L0wenstein et al 1976), the cow (Prahl 1981) and the pig (Harries & Cromwell 1982). Recent research interest has focused on the role of experimental animals used in the laboratory in the induction of asthma.…”