Background: Positive skin tests to allergens derived from mouse urine have been reported among patients with asthma. Very few data are available detailing the titer of IgE Ab to mouse allergen and how it varies by location and population.
Objective: To evaluate further the prevalence and titer of IgE Ab to mouse-derived allergens and their relevance to total IgE and asthma.
Methods: IgE Ab to mouse allergens was measured in 1165 sera from diverse populations including children and adults. The results were compared with IgE Ab to other allergens and total serum IgE.
Results: Positive results were found in 79 sera, but only 15 had an IgE Ab titer >or=10 IU/mL. Results for IgE Ab to Mus m 1 showed a close quantitative correlation with IgE Ab to mouse allergen (r = 0.93; P < .001). Cohorts in neither Atlanta nor Virginia contained sera in which IgE Ab to mouse was dominant over other allergens or contributed significantly to total IgE. By contrast, among 319 mothers from minority groups in Boston, 11 sera had >or=10 IU/mL. In these sera, specific IgE Ab to mouse made a significant contribution to the total.
Conclusion: Mouse allergen sensitization may contribute significantly to total IgE and allergy in African American and Hispanic populations from some northern cities. Analysis of the significance of an IgE Ab response should include quantitative comparison with other responses and total IgE.
Clinical implications: Significance of rodent infestation and IgE Ab varies dramatically in different populations and areas of the United States.