Quantitative Immunoelectrophoretic Analysis of Rat Allergen Extracts

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Abstract
Allergen avoidance for the rat-sensitive patient who wishes to continue working with rats is not easy, because many source materials share the same antigenic components. Crossed immunoelectrophoresis reference patterns were established for the antigenic constituents of rat fur, urine and saliva. Using quantitative immunoelectrophoretic techniques, extensive cross-reactivity was observed between these extracts, and with epithelia, shaved pelt, serum, feces and dust. No major qualitative sex differences were observed, though levels of certain components differed. Constituents of many source materials were found to show a reaction of partial identity with previously isolated rat urinary allergens; relative skin test reactivity of a range of these extracts was associated with the amount of urinary allergen present. Material from 2 different rat strins had similar constituents. Rat source materials did not cross-react with the corresponding extracts from guinea pigs.