Rabbit allergy

Allergic reaction to rabbit allergens found in the rabbit's saliva, urine and hair.

A rabbit allergy seems to be relatively rare. There are only a few works in this field. More often affected are hunters, breeders or veterinarians, but also children who keep a rabbit as a pet can be affected by allergic symptoms.

Rabbit allergy is mostly triggered by the dander and hair (rabbit epithelia). Very rare are allergic reactions to rabbit meat and the angora wool (angora rabbit).

Allergens

• Ory c 1 lipocalin (not available for in vitro diagnosis)
• Ory c 2 Lipocalin (not available for in vitro diagnosis)
• Ory c 3 secretory globulin of the salivary gland (sensitization rate in 77% of cases). Ory c 3 has a high structural similarity to Fel d1, the secretory globulin of the cat. The allergen has been detected in house dust of rabbit owners. Commercial tests are still lacking.
• Ory c4 lipocalin detectable in salivary gland (sensitization rate in 46% of cases). Ory c 4 has a high identity with Fel d 4 and Can f 6. The allergen is probably IgE cross-reactive.

As with other animal hair allergies, rabbit allergy causes urticarial rashes, rhinitis and respiratory allergic reactions. The symptoms of rabbit allergy are similar to other animal hair allergies:

Prick and RAST testing