Human allergy to cats: A review for veterinarians on prevalence, causes, symptoms and control

Human-Animal Interaction in Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI)s: Zoonosis Risks, Benefits, and Future Directions-A One Health Approach

Animal-assisted interventions (AAI)s represent the expression of integrated medicine, according to the One Health approach. Actually, animal-assisted therapies and animal-assisted activities are implemented in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, etc. The efficacy of AAIs is based on interspecific interactions and would be impacted by different factors, such as the characters of both the animal and the handler, a suitable selection of animal species, an appropriate animal educational protocol, the relationship between the handler and the animal, and mutual relationship among the animal, the patients, and members of the working team. AAIs produce many advantages for the patients but could expose them to zoonotic-pathogens transmission. Therefore, positive animal welfare, as preventative medicine to avoid incidents or transmission of zoonosis, is a relevant aspect with implications for human and animal health and wellbeing. This review aims to summarize the current published knowledge regarding the occurrence of pathogens in AAIs and to discuss their relevance in light of health and safety in AAIs participants. In addition, this review will contribute to defining the state of the art of AAIs through a careful benefits/challenges analysis and offers discussion points on the possible future developments according to the One Health approach.

PREDICTION OF ASTHMA CONTROL STATUS IN SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN SENSITIZED TO CAT ALLERGENS

OBJECTIVE

The aim: To develop a model for predicting asthma control status in school-age children sensitized to cat allergens.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and methods: The study included 302 children aged 6-17 years who were sensitized to cat allergens. The ALEX² test (Macro Array Diagnostics GmbH, Austria) was used to analyze the sensitization profile in these children. After 12 months of treatment, control of clinical asthma symptoms was achieved in 185 (61.26%) children. Single-factor logistic regression models were constructed to analyze the probability of achieving asthma control in school-age children with sensitization to cat allergens.

RESULTS

Results: It was found that asthma control status depended on the FeNO dynamics after 3 months of treatment, the number of cat allergens to which sensitization was detected, and the duration of exposure to a domestic cat after sensitization tests, which were conducted to verify the allergic capacity to cat allergens. The investigation resulted in the creation of a mathematical model for predicting the probability of asthma control, sensitivity 94.6 (95% CI 90.3 - 97.4) %, specificity - 81.2 (95% CI 72.9 - 87.8) %, PPV = 88.8 (95% CI 84.5 - 92.1) %, NPV = 90.5 (95% CI 83.8 - 94.6) %.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: A model for predicting the probability of asthma control was created. The formula is used to calculate the patient's P. P > 0.44 allows predicting the achievement of asthma control after 12 months of treatment.