Oryctolagus cuniculus, which are called European rabbits, are the most successful invasive exotic mammals found worldwide. These species prefer to live in herds, in interconnected underground tunnels. Rabbits are domesticated and popular laboratory animals.

For workers caring for laboratory animals, allergy to laboratory animals (LAA) is an important health issue.

Rabbit saliva is the most potent identified source of allergens, however, allergens are also found in rabbit fur, urine, hair, and dandruff. Inhalation is the main route of exposure to rabbit allergens, and because the particle size in the air is very small, they easily penetrate the lower respiratory tract, causing allergic symptoms. In susceptible people, allergic sensitization to rabbit allergens occurs through contact with a rabbit or contact in the laboratory.

Allergic symptoms may include asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, and hives. The rabbit allergen, Ory c1, is a major allergen (the lipocalin family) found in extracts of saliva, urine, and rabbit fur that can be used to investigate sensitivity to rabbits. Ory c 2 belongs to the family of lipocalins, which are obtained from rabbit fur, fur, dust, and urine. Another important allergen, Ory c 3, showed high structural homology with the feline allergen (Fel d 1), however, at the amino acid level, the similarity is quite low. Thus, despite the high similarity, there was no cross-reactivity with Fel d 1, which makes it a potential marker of rabbit allergy. Ory c 4 has demonstrated cross-reactivity with other animals such as a cat, dog, and horse.

Determination of specific IgE in human blood to - Rabbit (epithelium), e82, shows the body's reaction to this allergen.

Analysis method: ImmunoCAP method (Immunofluorescence in the solid phase)

Units of measurement: kU/l

Biomaterial for analysis: venous blood