Protect the allergic person
Scientists are developing a vaccine against cat allergies
Hypoallergenic breeds of cats and dogs, methods of combating animal allergies and its treatment – in the new material of the "Social Navigator" devoted to allergies. The correspondent had a conversation with Alexander Karaulov, Head of the Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergology of the I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, and Alexander Pampura, Chief freelance allergist-immunologist of the Moscow Department of Healthcare.
Cats Project
Sensitivity to animal allergens affects about 10% of Russians, in children, according to foreign studies, this figure is about 50%. However, there is good news for allergy sufferers: scientists of the I.M.Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University and The Vienna Medical University has begun work on the creation of a vaccine against allergies to cats, called the Cats Project.
According to Alexander Karaulov, Head of the Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergology of the I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, a vaccine based on eight artificially created synthetically pure allergens is currently under development. The research will take from three to five years.
"Together with the Vienna Medical University and Professor Rudolf Valenta, we are working on the synthesis and combination of feline reagents, that is, those proteins that cause allergies. We have created eight synthetic proteins that cause allergies to cats. They are easier to standardize, they have a lower allergenic load and treatment will be more effective," said Alexander Karaulov.
According to him, the development of this vaccine is of great importance, including international, since there are no analogues of the vaccine for all eight feline allergens either in our country or abroad.
The existing vaccine, which is currently being used, including in Europe, is directed against one or two, not eight cat allergens, so its effectiveness is questionable. In addition, forms of immunotherapy based on natural proteins, which are now used in hospitals, can cause complications," Alexander Karaulov believes.
The new vaccine can be used not only to create immunity to cat allergens, but also to treat those who already suffer from this disease, including expectant mothers.
"Since allergies are inherited, the vaccine will reduce sensitization to cat allergens in expectant mothers, so that they do not transmit the disease to children," notes Alexander Karaulov and adds that his colleagues are currently working on the creation of other vaccines, for example, against allergies to birch.
But there is no vaccine against dog allergies yet, but in the future scientists plan to create one.
Stroked the animal – do not bring your hands to your face
While scientists are working on creating a vaccine, those who already have or have an allergy have to either get rid of a pet, or simply endure it, since the current treatment methods, according to experts, only alleviate the symptoms, but cannot cure the allergy completely. Manifestations of allergy to animals can be very different, ranging from a runny nose, lacrimation and skin reactions up to anaphylactic shock.
Maria S., a veterinarian, says that she first encountered allergies while giving birth to a dog. "I took the first puppy, and then my nose and eyes were filled with sand. Then I noticed some regularity: I react to long–haired cats and sheepdogs more often," says Maria.
According to her, at work she tries not to contact animals without gloves, not to bring her hands to her nose.
However, sometimes pet owners do not even realize that they have an allergy, mistaking it for other diseases.
After the cat settled in the house, Ekaterina K. had a chronic runny nose. The girl did not realize that it was an allergy until she entered the institute in another city. "I left home, and the runny nose disappeared, but every time I came on vacation, I came back. I try to squeeze the seals less, if it becomes absolutely unbearable, I drink antihistamines, and so stoically endure when I come to visit," says Ekaterina.
Tolerates allergies to cats and editor Ruslan A. "In childhood, there was an allergy: itchy eyes, nose. When I got older, everything seemed to have passed. We recently got a long-haired kitten, and I have a runny nose and itchy eyes every day, but I hope it will be tolerated–it will be loved," he jokes.
But web designer Kristina K. had to give the kitten away.
I was given a kitten, and after a while the allergy started. Pills and ointments did not help. I went to an allergist to take samples, and it turned out that I have the strongest allergy to wool – any wool, any animals, even dead or trimmed human hair," says Kristina.
Polina K.'s son had atopic dermatitis shortly after birth, later respiratory allergies, bronchial problems and permanent otitis media appeared.
"We are allergic to many things, primarily to pet hair. The recommendations were common for such cases: taking antihistamines, diet, getting rid of dust collectors, daily wet cleaning, humidification, frequent washing of bedding and all fabrics in the house in general, as well as monitoring by an allergist and ENT, and, of course, the complete absence of animals," says Polina.
According to her, after several years of therapy, when it became clear that her son's disease was progressing, they had to make a difficult decision and give up the dog that lived in the family before the birth of the child. After a couple of months, the boy's well-being improved: the runny nose almost completely disappeared, breathing at night became less heavy.
Hypoallergenic breeds do not exist
However, even if a person does not have pets at home, this does not mean that he is protected from allergens.
"Allergens of cats and dogs are inhaled, they are all around us. Public transport, offices, schools – there are pet owners everywhere, and they actually bring allergens with them, and in those doses to which an adult or a child with hypersensitivity to them can react," explains Alexander Pampura, chief freelance specialist allergist–immunologist of the Moscow City Health Department.
Even in the presence of allergic manifestations, it is not necessary to diagnose yourself on your own, since allergies can be caused by a variety of substances, including products that we eat, cosmetics, household chemicals, plant pollen, medicines, and so on. It is better to contact an allergist who will prescribe the necessary tests and interpret the results obtained. But bringing pet hair for analysis, according to Alexander Pampura, is simply pointless, since a lot depends on the patient's hypersensitivity to animal allergens and clinical symptoms.
"Allergens do not depend on the breed or a particular animal. That the Yorkshire terrier, that the shepherd dog – allergens will be the same, only their number will differ. However, in real life, the concentration of animal allergens depends on many factors: the size and features of the ventilation of the room, the behavior of the animal, the presence of dust collectors, and so on," says the chief allergist of Moscow.
He adds that hypoallergenic breeds of cats and dogs do not exist at all, because allergies can be caused not only by wool, but also by saliva, sebaceous and sweat glands, as well as other animal waste products. Therefore, sphinxes, Balinese, orientals, poodles, schnauzers and other breeds of cats and dogs also cause an allergic reaction.
It should also be borne in mind that getting rid of allergies to a pet is not as easy as getting rid of the animal itself: allergens can be found inside the house where a dog or cat used to live for another 5-6 months or longer.
And sometimes it also happens that an allergic reaction to an animal becomes less vivid over time, however, if a person comes into contact with other animals in the future, severe acute symptoms may occur. Nevertheless, according to experts, having a pet in the family can make a child protected from a specific type of allergy. However, not everything is so clear here, because there are exceptions to every rule.
"If there is an animal at home, and the child does not have a predisposition to the development of allergic diseases, then the likelihood of developing allergies really decreases. But from the point of view of a particular child, this may not work," says Alexander Pampura.
In any case, until a vaccine against animal allergies has appeared, it is worth checking with an allergist before taking a pet into the house.
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