18 Jun 2019 --- Scientists from Nestlé subsidiary Purina have found a way to prevent allergic reactions to cat hair and dander – dried flakes of skin. In a decade-long study, researchers discovered an antibody – IgY – that can block specific sites of the major cat allergen, Fel d1, by 97 percent and subsequently neutralize the allergen. The allergen is produced in cats’ saliva, leading researchers to incorporate an egg product containing anti-Fel d1 antibodies into a cat’s diet. Published in Immunity, Inflammation and Disease, the study findings may lead to reduced active Fel d1 levels in the environment in general, which may be beneficial for allergen-sensitive people, the researchers note.
