e217 Ferret epithelium

Worldwide distribution

Common in the Old World, Ferrets have been used for centuries to hunt Rats, Mice, and Rabbits. They are ferocious, and may attack animals much larger than themselves. Domestic Ferrets are found in many colours, including albino, brown, and black. They are Weasel-shaped, and, like all mustelids, have well-developed anal scent glands. Polecats help to control rodent populations in the wild. They have also been hunted for their fur, which is considered valuable, though not as valuable as that of other mustelids such as Mink or Ermine.

IgE mediated reactions

Asthma, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis and contact dermatitis (1).

A 41-year-old male experienced a near fatal asthma episode after washing his Ferret. He had experienced pruritis and erythema of the skin where he had been in contact with the animal (1)

Allergenic molecules

Specific serum IgE from a patient with Ferret allergy was shown to bind to 4 protein bands (103, 81, 28.8 and 14.8 kD) in the male and female urine but none in the hair. IgG-depleted serum bound to 2 additional bands (213 and 41.2 kD) in the urine and to 2 bands (81 and 10.1 kD) in the hair (1).  No allergens have been characterised yet.

Cross reactivity

In a report on Ferret allergy, the authors note that in a Mink allergic subject, specific IgG to Ferret interfered with the specific IgE measurement; it is hypothesized that the Mink-allergic subject's serum contained similar competing antibodies (1). Mink is a mammal of the same family as Ferret.

Last Reviewed- April 2022