Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA.
BACKGROUND: While rabbits are common as pets, severe allergic reactions to domestic rabbits in homes are unusual. Typically, allergic manifestations are mild to moderate allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, pruritus and/or asthma in laboratory animal caretakers with frequent exposure. METHODS: We report an atopic child with a severe allergic reaction following inhalant exposure to a rabbit. We performed percutaneous skin tests and determined serum-specific IgE to commercial preparation of rabbit epithelium and extracts of rabbit fur and serum. RESULTS: Percutaneous skin test was positive to rabbit epithelium. The patient had elevated serum-specific IgE to rabbit epithelium and fur but not to rabbit serum.