With the help of an extensive network of approved collectors, we source a wide variety of epithelia source materials. Hair from cat and dog is collected by approved suppliers issuing a health certificate. At our site, the collected material is processed into allergen source material to be used in the diagnostic and pharmaceutical industry. Typical process steps include grinding, defatting and freeze-drying. To enrich the allergens, animal dander is extracted from animal hair in a floatation process using acetone as solvent. Some material, e. g. bird droppings, is sterilized using gamma irradiation.
Many respiratory allergens are associated with the epithelia layer of animals. The allergens may be epithelia proteins as well as proteins deposited on the skin or fur of the animal originating from salivary or genital glands. A wide range of allergen sources trigger allergic reactions, most common perhaps cat and dog proteins, but allergy to proteins associated with bird feathers and droppings can present a problem for some patients.
Typical symptoms of allergy to furry animals include a runny nose, itchy eyes (rhinoconjunctivitis), and asthma symptoms. In fact, sensitization to cat allergen has been observed to be associated with severe asthma in children.
The major cat allergen, Fel d 1, is considered to be the most clinically important trigger of cat allergy; but Fel d 2, cat albumin, also appears to play a role in the disease. In contrast to cat, dog seems to have multiple important allergens making diagnosis, and possible treatment using Allergy Specific Immunotherapy, more difficult.
This is a selection of our epithelia allergens. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any additional requests for allergen source material.
Article No. | Scientific name | Common name |
---|---|---|
2016 | Felis domesticus | Cat dander |
2286 | Canis familiaris | Dog dander |
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