[Green coffee bean allergy and ultrafine particles exposure in Trieste dock workers]. / Allergia a caffè verde ed esposizione a particelle ultrafini nei lavoratori del porto di Trieste.

SUMMARY: The paper reviews allergy to green coffee bean and castor bean in dock workers and in coffee processing workers from '80 to nowadays in Trieste (NE of Italy). The avoidance of use of jute sacks contaminated with castor bean caused a decrease in sensitization to castor bean and the better work practices to handle jute sacks permitted to reduce airborne exposure to green coffee been powders, that resulted below occupational exposure limits. However, the measurement of ultrafine particles emitted during the handling of sacks showed exposure to high level of particles below 40 nm and permitted to identify some work tasks that can cause a more elevated exposure. Moreover, some sacks, coming from Tanzania, are still contaminated with castor bean, causing mild allergic symptoms. The work condition in dock workers in Trieste improved in years with a reduction of exposure to these allergens. However, the adoption of protective measures as well as periodical medical surveillance are needed to prevent sensitization or to detect the early onset of new cases.

High throughput transcriptome analysis of coffee reveals prehaustorial resistance in response to Hemileia vastatrix infection.

KEY MESSAGE: We provide a transcriptional profile of coffee rust interaction and identified putative up regulated resistant genes Coffee rust disease, caused by the fungus Hemileia vastatrix, is one of the major diseases in coffee throughout the world. The use of resistant cultivars is considered to be the most effective control strategy for this disease. To identify candidate genes related to different mechanism defense in coffee, we present a time-course comparative gene expression profile of Caturra (susceptible) and Híbrido de Timor (HdT, resistant) in response to H. vastatrix race XXXIII infection. The main objectives were to obtain a global overview of transcriptome in both interaction, compatible and incompatible, and, specially, analyze up-regulated HdT specific genes with inducible resistant and defense signaling pathways. Using both Coffea canephora as a reference genome and de novo assembly, we obtained 43,159 transcripts. At early infection events (12 and 24 h after infection), HdT responded to the attack of H. vastatrix with a larger number of up-regulated genes than Caturra, which was related to prehaustorial resistance. The genes found in HdT at early hours were involved in receptor-like kinases, response ion fluxes, production of reactive oxygen species, protein phosphorylation, ethylene biosynthesis and callose deposition. We selected 13 up-regulated HdT-exclusive genes to validate by real-time qPCR, which most of them confirmed their higher expression in HdT than in Caturra at early stage of infection. These genes have the potential to assist the development of new coffee rust control strategies. Collectively, our results provide understanding of expression profiles in coffee-H. vastatrix interaction over a time course in susceptible and resistant coffee plants.

An in vitro effect of coffee on the antigen-specific immune responses of naïve splenocytes.

Coffee is a globally consumed beverage with potential health benefits. However, there are few reports about the effects of coffee on immunological functions. We previously reported that in an allergic mouse model, coffee intake prevented allergy development through augmentation of interleukin (IL)-12p40. In order to investigate the anti-allergic activity of coffee, we examined the effect of coffee on antigen (Ag)-specific responses of immune cells in vitro. Coffee treatment suppressed proliferation and IL-2 secretion of mouse splenocytes in the same way as splenocytes from mice administered coffee orally. However, IL-12p40 secretion decreased significantly as a result of in vitro coffee treatment, which was contrary to the results obtained from experiments of mice administered coffee orally. Therefore, modification associated with oral administration might influence the anti-allergic activity of coffee.

Continuous orally administered coffee enhanced the antigen-specific Th1 response and reduced allergic development in a TCR-transgenic mice model.

Coffee is a globally consumed beverage. Although recent studies have suggested that coffee reduced the risk of lifestyle-related diseases, there are few studies regarding allergic response. This study investigates the effects of orally administered coffee (91 ml/kg/d) on allergic responses using a T cell receptor (TCR)-transgenic DO11.10 mouse allergic model. Splenocytes from coffee-administered naïve mice increased antigen (Ag)-specific interleukin (IL)-12p40 secretion. When Ag sensitization and coffee administration were concurrently performed, the splenocytes from coffee-administered mice showed a decrease of IL-2 and an increase of IL-12p40 secretion. The Ag-specific cutaneous response and serum IgE level were reduced in coffee-administered mice, although, after establishing the allergy, coffee administration did not suppress the allergic reaction. These results suggest that coffee could induce a Th1-type response of the immune system and prevent an allergy developing. Further studies on the optimum dose, cultivar differences, and roasted degree need to be undertaken.

Effects of coffee on inflammatory cytokine gene expression in mice fed high-fat diets.

In order to investigate the risk-reducing effects of coffee in metabolic syndrome, we performed a study in mice fed a high-fat diet with added coffee and analyzed gene expression in liver and adipose tissues using cDNA microarray. Male C57BL/6J mice were raised for 8 weeks on either a normal diet (N group), a high-fat diet (HF group), or a high-fat diet with 1.1% decaffeinated (HF+DC group) or 1.1% caffeine-containing instant coffee (HF+CC group). The body weights of mice in the HF+DC and HF+CC groups were mostly intermediate between the N and HF groups, even if there were no difference in the amount of diet consumption in each group. Mesenteric fat weight was lower in the HF+DC group than in the HF group (p < 0.05) and tended to become lower in the HF+CC group than in the HF group. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were significantly lower in the HF+DC and HF+CC groups than in the HF group (p < 0.05). Inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1beta gene expression in liver was up-regulated in the HF group and significantly down-regulated in the HF+DC and HF+CC groups (p < 0.01), while MCP-1 gene expression in white adipose tissue was also significantly suppressed in the HF+DC group (p < 0.01). The induction of these anti-inflammatory responses by coffee consumption may contribute to reducing the risks of metabolic syndrome.

Health risks due to coffee dust.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed current health risks due to occupational exposure to coffee dust. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study in a coffee haulage company (n = 24), a coffee silo (n = 19), and a decaffeinating company (n = 17). Cross-shift and cross-week case histories of these employees as well as lung function values were recorded. During the handling of green coffee, measurements of airborne dust were conducted. RESULTS: The employees in these workplaces were mainly affected by erythematous and rhinoconjunctival symptoms. They occurred especially in subjects exposed to a high dust load (> 10 mg of inhalable dust per cubic meter of air; n = 28) [Pearson chi(2) test, p = 0.020 and p = 0.023]. IgE antibodies to green coffee and castor beans were detected in 3 workers and 10 workers, respectively. The majority of them (two employees and six employees, respectively) had shown respiratory symptoms during the past 12 months. The preshift lung function values were below average but were not dependent on the level of the inhalable coffee dust exposure. Employees with a coffee dust load > 10 mg/m(3) of air showed higher unspecific bronchial responsiveness more frequently than those with lower exposures. CONCLUSION: During the transshipment (especially during unloading) of green coffee, a high and clinically relevant exposure to irritative and sensitizing dust occurs. Therefore, efforts to reduce these dust exposures are generally recommended.

Review article: possible beneficial effects of coffee on liver disease and function.

BACKGROUND: Coffee is consumed by 50 percent of Americans every day. After oil, coffee is the second most valuable commodity in the world. In recent years a number of studies have suggested potential health risks associated with coffee consumption; however, the results are controversial. Whilst coffee has been reported to increase cardiovascular risk factors, other investigators have demonstrated its protective effects on diseases ranging from type 2 diabetes to Parkinson's disease. A number of investigators have focused their attention on the relationship between the consumption of coffee and liver disease. AIM: To examine the published literature to date in an attempt to establish the presence of an hepatoprotective effect of coffee. METHODS: Using PubMed, we identified published studies and review articles relating to the effect of coffee consumption on diseases of the liver. CONCLUSION: A number of studies have reported the beneficial effects of coffee on abnormal liver biochemistry, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. At the present time the mechanism of this effect remains unclear as does the ''dose'' required to achieve these benefits.

Frutos de café "Conilon" brocados por Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae): qual a importância de sua queda no decorrer da fase de frutificação? / \"Conilon\" coffee berries bored by Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae): what matters if they drop down during the fruiting phase?

A queda dos frutos brocados por Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) pode ser o principal fator de perda durante a frutificação do café. Entretanto, apenas os frutos brocados que permanecem no solo antes de um novo período de frutificação têm sido reconhecidos como causadores de impacto no nível de broqueamento de frutos em formação. Neste trabalho, investigou-se, ao longo do período de frutificação, a presença, nas plantas e no solo, de frutos de Coffea canephora cv. Conilon brocados por H. hampei, em Ouro Preto d'Oeste, RO. As coletas foram realizadas, semanalmente, entre dezembro de 2000 e junho de 2001. Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à análise de regressão de sobrevivência, baseado no modelo de Weibull. Durante o período de frutificação do café, a queda dos frutos ocorre continuamente e a presença de frutos brocados por H. hampei chega a ser, em média, 4 a 20 vezes maior no solo (P < 2,3x10-18, n = 62747) do que nas plantas. Argumenta-se que a incorporação do "ambiente solo" na determinação de ações de manejo integrado possa apontar novas tecnologias para o controle da broca.

Falling of berries bored by Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) may be the major loosing factor during the fruiting period. However, only those bored berries which remain in the soil surface before a new yielding period have been recognized as responsible for the damage level Ho achieved by new developing berries. In this paper, we investigated in the plants and in the soil surface, the presence of Coffea canephora cv. Conilon berries bored by H. hampei during the yielding period in Ouro Preto d'Oeste, Rondônia, Brazil. We took samples, weekly, from December 2000 to June 2001. The data were submitted to the Surviving Regression Analysis, based on a censored Weibull model. During the yielding period, berries fall down continuously and, in average, the proportion of H. hampei bored berries was 4 to 20 times higher in the soil (P < 2,3x10-18, n = 62,747) than in the plants. Thus, we argue that adding the "soil environment" to the integrated management strategies could point to new technologies for the control of this insect.

Factors related to the development of sensitization to green coffee and castor bean allergens among coffee workers.

BACKGROUND: Occupational allergic respiratory symptoms in coffee workers have been frequently reported, but the ultimate cause of sensitization is still debated, castor bean being considered besides green coffee beans. Atopy and cigarette smoking have been suggested as promoting factors of sensitization for several occupational allergens. OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to assess the prevalence of allergic respiratory symptoms and of sensitization to both green coffee beans and castor bean in the whole workforce of a coffee manufacturing plant. Furthermore we wanted to ascertain both the presence of castor bean antigens in the settled dust of the green coffee beans warehouse and the possible crossreactivity between the two beans. Meanwhile, the effect of smoking and atopy was considered. METHOD: Two-hundred and eleven workers were examined. A questionnaire on oculorhinitis and asthma was administered and skin-prick tests for green coffee beans, castor bean and 15 common inhalant allergens were carried out. Isoelectric focusing, isoelectric focusing immunoblot and radioallergosorbent assay (RAST) inhibition were performed on samples of settled environmental dust from the green coffee area, as well as on castor bean and green coffee beans. RESULTS: Ten per cent of the workers complained of oculorhinitis alone and 16% of asthma (nearly always associated with oculorhinitis). The overall prevalence of skin-sensitization was: 15% for green coffee beans, 22% for castor bean, 22% for common allergens. Evidence of sensitization to occupational allergens was more common in smokers, with a more than twofold increase in relative risk. The strong association between skin positivity to common and occupational allergens suggests that atopy acts as an enhancing host factor towards occupational sensitization. The analysis of the dust confirmed the presence of castor bean antigens. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that castor bean is the major cause of occupational sensitization among coffee workers, whereas smoking and atopy act as enhancing factors.

Allergy to the coffee plant.

Occupational respiratory allergy to green coffee beans in coffee roastery workers is well established. I now report on a 50-year-old female atopic patient sensitized to the coffee plant used for indoor decoration. The symptoms were rhinitis and conjunctivitis on exposure to the plant. Investigation showed a positive skin prick test, RAST, and rhinoconjunctival provocation test to coffee leaf allergen extract. However, the commercially available RAST disk for green coffee beans seems to be appropriate for diagnosing allergy to the potted coffee plant.

Screening for IgE mediated allergy among people working in the Marseilles harbour.

Screening for IgE mediated allergy by RASTs to professional (castor bean, green coffee, peanut, soy protein, wheat, rice), and non professional (pollens, mites, cat, Alternaria tenuis) air borne antigens among 36 people working in the Marseilles harbour has showed rather unexpected findings: only one case of IgE positivity to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (class I) and one case of IgE positivity to castor bean seed (Ricinus communis) (class IV). IgG4 specific antibodies against castor bean and green coffee were also measured by an ELISA technique, with eleven cases of positivity to castor bean and only one case to green coffee being recorded. Several explanations can be put forward for the low incidence of IgE responses to the commonest airborne antigens and to the professional antigens (castor bean being the only offender), and for the rather high incidence of specific IgG4 antibodies to castor bean. Most likely, the low incidence of latent atopy is the result of a natural selection among the workers who gave up their job if experiencing of discomfort. As far as the elevated IgG4 antibody levels to castor bean are concerned, these are probably natural blocking antibodies.

Sensitization to green coffee bean (GCB) and castor bean (CB) allergens among dock workers.

Dock workers (n = 218) occupationally exposed to green coffee beans (GCB) were studied, using a specific questionnaire for allergic symptoms and skin tests for common and occupational allergens. Thirty-one workers (14.3%) complained of allergic symptoms of the eye, nose and bronchial system at the workplace. The prick tests, using both commercial allergens and specific extracts prepared from the most common types of coffee and their corresponding sacks, confirmed a sensitization in 21 workers (9.6%). A positive skin reaction to castor beans (CB) was found in nearly all these cases; in ten workers there was also a positive reaction to GCB allergens and in 14 cases prick tests were positive to extracts of sacks. There was a good concordance between prick tests and specific IgE for CB (95.0%) and also, but to a lesser extent, for GCB. The authors concluded that there is a significant risk of sensitization to CB and GCB allergens in dock workers occupied in handling green coffee bean, despite the fact that the exposure is not continuous. CB emerged as a common contaminant of GCB from various countries. For effective prevention, a modification of the methods of transport is required to avoid CB contamination to other products. Eliminating environmental dust during shipping operations is the most important preventive measure and it can be achieved by the use of containers, as some exporting countries are already doing.

Diagnostic tests in allergy to green coffee.

Twenty-two coffee roastery workers with work-related symptoms of various degree from the eyes, nose or bronchi were tested with partly purified water-soluble extract from dust of green coffee beans (GCB). Eighteen persons had a positive prick test, eight a positive bronchial provocation test and seven a positive nasal provocation test. Fourteen had a positive methacholine test, indicating unspecific bronchial hyperreactivity. Specific IgE antibodies to GCB extract were found in sera of 11 workers and to castor bean (CB) extract in 16. The workers measured their lung function with an air flow meter, three times a day for 1 week, and the values were lower in the second half of the week for the workers with IgE antibodies to GCB, but not for the others. It is concluded that the case history, prick test, RAST, and simple lung function tests for one or a few weeks are the best tools when investigating occupational allergy. When the allergen is unknown, but the occurrence of an IgE-mediated allergy is suspected, serial lung function measurements and determinations of total serum IgE, in addition to taking a careful case history, are valuable methods with which to start the investigation.

Coffee worker's allergy.

Workers in the coffee industry were investigated. Study I comprised 50 selected cases of whom 25 had work-related symptoms and 25 had not. Prick tests and RAST investigations with different factory dust extracts were performed. Study II was a cross-sectional study comprising 129 workers who were prick-tested with one factory dust extract and with castor bean (CB). More than 40% described occupationally related asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis or pruritus, and in about half of these cases sensitization with one or two allergens was found. One allergen comes from coffee beans and is found in the factory dust, mainly where the raw coffee is handled. This allergen is destroyed in the roasting process. The other allergen is identical with the allergen from castor bean and its presumed to enter the plant via the sacks. Predisposing factors to developing sensitization were atopic status, degree and length of exposure, and smoking habits.

Analysis of green coffee bean and castor bean allergens using RAST inhibition.

Coffee workers with occupational allergic symptoms and positive skin tests to green coffee bean and factor dust antigens have elevated serum IgE antibodies (by radioallergosorbent test--RAST) to green coffee and castor bean allergens. These antibodies were used in a RAST inhibition assay to analyse coffee and castor allergens. Bean allergens were extracted by homogenization in PBS, centrifugation and concentration of supernates by ultrafiltration. Green coffee bean allergens, fractionated by gel filtration and Pevikon block electrophoresis, were shown to be very heterogeneous with a molecular weight range of 50 000 to 500 000 daltons. Castor allergens were more homogeneous with a molecular weight of 14 000 daltons and were partially purified by Pevikon block electrophoresis, gel filtration and isoelectrofocusing. Chemical analysis showed that protein was the major component in both allergen extracts. However, proteolytic enzymes could only partially destroy allergenic activity. Such isolation and characterization of these allergens should result in better methods of diagnosis and treatment of coffee workers with occupational allergic disease.