Methods: For this end, it was selected houses of 53 children with symptoms of allergic rhinitis or asthma, where 32 lived with dogs in their homes (group 1) and 21 do not live with dogs (group 2). Samples of household dust and fur of dogs were collected to evaluate the levels of allergens by ELISA specific allergen method. All the data were statistically analyzed, considering the minimum significance level of 5%.
Results: In relation to the dog’s coat, the average concentrations for Der p 1 (0.4 µg.g-1), Der f 1 (0.3 µg.g-1) and Blo t 5 (0.3 µg.g-1) were lower than those for animal allergens, Can f 1 (3.3 µg.g-1) (p <0.001) and Fel d 1 (1.3 µg.g-1). In the environment, the most common allergen Der p 1 was found at a concentration of 118.1 µg.g-1 in bedding (p <0.001), 19.0 µg.g-1 in mattress and 1.1 µg.g-1 on the ground. Animal allergens were found in equal proportion on environments with and without dogs (p> 0.05), the concentration of Can f 1 and Fel d 1 was higher in environments with dogs (p <0.001).
Conclusions: It is correct to assure that the coat of dogs can carry and spread to the environment mainly animal allergens and also can carry mite allergens for about 1/3 of the time, but in concentrations with no sensitized, which do not contribute significantly to their environmental existence.