Deer epithelium
Summary
Direct or indirect contact with animal allergens may cause sensitisation.
Allergen
Deer allergens with the molecular mass of 110, 72, 60, 59, 45, 25, 22 and 21 kDa have been identified. The 22 and 25 kDa proteins were determined to be major allergens. No allergens have been characterized to date.
In experiments using patient sera in specific IgE inhibition, IgE antibodies were directed to allergens common to pelt/hair/dander, urine, and serum. Pelt contained the most potent allergenic fractions.
Clinical Relevance
IgE mediated reactions
Exposure to Deer dander may result in asthma, occupational asthma, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis and anaphylaxis. Allergic reactions occur mostly in hunters, farmers and hunting guides.
A 25-year-old housewife in Mexico City developed rhinitis and asthma following exposure to Fallow Deer in an animal park close to her home.
Urticaria, angioedema, and dyspnoea requiring epinephrine occurred in a 4-year-old boy following contact with Deer. He had had a mild reaction, after indirect exposure to the animal, 5 days prior to this episode of anaphylaxis. IgE-mediated tests were positive for Deer and cow by both selective skin-prick method and RAST results.
Deer dander can induce occupational asthma through IgE-mediated mechanisms as reported in a farmer raising Deer. Skin-specific IgE elicited positive reactions to dander extracts from Goat, Sheep, Camel, and Cow as well as to Deer dander extract. Hunters are also susceptible to developing allergic symptoms following contact with these animals.
A postal questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 2,500 farmers throughout New Zealand. It was found that asthma prevalence was higher for Horse breeders/groomers, Pig farmers, Poultry farmers, and those working with Oats. Hay fever was significantly higher in Deer and crop farmers, and farmers working with Horses and Goats; eczema was higher for Goat and Deer farmers.
Other reactions
Contact urticaria from Roe Deer meat and hair has been reported.
A boilermaker who engraved Deer bone (scrimshaw) as his artistic avocation developed recurrent anaphylaxis while scraping Deer bones.
Deer ked (Lipoptena cervi L.), a haematophagous louse fly of Deer, also attacks man and can cause persistent pruritic papules.
Lyme disease, from which severe neurological, muscular, cardiac and other damage can result, is carried by a spirochete transmitted by the Deer Tick (Ixodes sarcoptii), which is prone to attaching to humans in grassy and woodland areas.
Cross-Reactivity
The 22 and 25 kDa allergens from Deer dander have been shown to be cross-reactive with the corresponding Cow allergens. Fallow Deer allergens and Horse allergen extracts were shown to be cross-reactive.
References
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- Spitzauer S, Valenta R, Muhl S, Rumpold H, Ebner H, Ebner C. Characterization of allergens from deer: cross-reactivity with allergens from cow dander. Clin Exp Allergy 1997;27(2):196-200
- Gillespie DN, Dahlberg MJ, Yunginger JW. Inhalant allergy to wild animals (deer and elk). Ann Allergy 1985;55(2):122-5
- Huwyler T, Wuthrich B. A case of fallow deer allergy. Cross-reactivity between fallow deer and horse allergy. Allergy 1992;47(5):574-5
- Gillespie DN. Anaphylaxis to deer dander. [Editorial] Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2000;85(5):334
- Amrol DJ, Georgitis JW, Dunagan DP. Anaphylaxis to deer dander in a child: a case report. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2000;85(5):372-3
- Kimbell-Dunn M, Bradshaw L, Slater T, Erkinjuntti-Pekkanen R, Fishwick D, Pearce N. Asthma and allergy in New Zealand farmers. Am J Ind Med 1999;35(1):51-7
- Geyer E, Kranke B, Derhaschnig J, Aberer W. Contact urticaria from roe deer meat and hair. Contact Dermatitis 1998;39(1):34
- Patterson R, Ganz MA, Roberts M. Anaphylaxis and asthma in a scrimshander due to deer bone dust. Ann Allergy 1991;67:529-532
- Rantanen T, Reunala T, et al. Persistent pruritic papules from deer ked bites. Acta Derm Venereol 1982;62(4):307-11