Food processing and occupational respiratory allergy- An EAACI position paper.

Occupational exposure to foods is responsible for up to 25% of cases of occupational asthma and rhinitis. Animal and vegetable high-molecular-weight proteins present in aerosolized foods during food processing, additives, preservatives, antioxidants, and food contaminants are the main inhalant allergen sources. Most agents typically cause IgE-mediated allergic reactions, causing a distinct form of food allergy (Class 3 food allergy). The allergenicity of a food protein, allergen exposure levels, and atopy are important risk factors. Diagnosis relies on a thorough medical and occupational history, functional assessment, assessment of sensitization, including component-resolved diagnostics where appropriate, and in selected cases specific inhalation tests. Exposure assessment, including allergen determination, is a cornerstone for establishing preventive measures. Management includes allergen exposure avoidance or reduction (second best option), pharmacological treatment, assessment of impairment, and worker's compensation. Further studies are needed to identify and characterize major food allergens and define occupational exposure limits, evaluate the relative contribution of respiratory versus cutaneous sensitization to food antigens, evaluate the role of raw versus cooked food in influencing risk, and define the absolute or relative contraindication of patients with ingestion-related food allergy, pollinosis, or oral allergy syndrome continuing to work with exposure to aerosolized food allergens.

Oxidative activity of ammonium persulfate salt on mast cells and basophils: implication in hairdressers' asthma.

BACKGROUND: Persulfate salts are components of bleaching powders widely used by hairdressers during hair-bleaching procedures. Hairdressers are at high risk for occupational asthma and rhinitis, and ammonium persulfate is the main etiologic agent. OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of ammonium persulfate on human albumin, mast cells, and basophils in order to evaluate a possible effect of ammonium persulfate oxidizing activity in the mechanism of ammonium persulfate-induced occupational asthma. METHODS: High-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry was performed on ammonium persulfate-incubated human albumin. The activation of LAD2 human mast cell and KU812 human basophil cell lines incubated with ammonium persulfate was evaluated. CD63 expression on persulfate-in-vitro-incubated blood basophils from nonexposed healthy controls (n = 31) and hairdressers with work-related respiratory symptoms (n = 29) was assessed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: No persulfate-albumin conjugate was found. An oxidative process on tryptophan and methionine was detected. Ammonium persulfate induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and the degranulation of LAD2 and KU812 cells. Human basophils from healthy controls, incubated in vitro with ammonium persulfate, showed increased CD63 expression and ROS production. In hairdressers with ammonium persulfate-caused occupational asthma (positive persulfate challenge), basophil-CD63 expression was higher than in those with a negative challenge and in healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: Ammonium persulfate incubated with human albumin did not generate any adduct but oxidized some amino acids. This oxidizing activity induced human mast cell and basophil activation which might be crucial in the mechanism of persulfate-induced occupational asthma and rhinitis.

The 10th anniversary of the Junior Members and Affiliates of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

This year is the 10th anniversary of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) Junior Members and Affiliates (JMAs). The aim of this review is to highlight the work and activities of EAACI JMAs. To this end, we have summarized all the initiatives taken by JMAs during the last 10 yr. EAACI JMAs are currently a group of over 2380 clinicians and scientists under the age of 35 yr, who support the continuous education of the Academy's younger members. For the past decade, JMAs enjoy a steadily increasing number of benefits such as free online access to the Academy's journals, the possibility to apply for Fellowships and the Mentorship Program, travel grants to attend scientific meetings, and many more. In addition, JMAs have been involved in task forces, cooperation schemes with other scientific bodies, organization of JMA focused sessions during EAACI meetings, and participation in the activities of EAACI communication platforms. EAACI JMA activities represent an ideal example of recruiting, training, and educating young scientists in order for them to thrive as future experts in their field. This model may serve as a prototype for other scientific communities, several of which have already adapted similar policies.

The use of fractional exhaled nitric oxide in investigation of work-related cough in a hairdresser.

BACKGROUND: Occupational and environmental factors may be a cause of nonasthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis (NAEB). The diagnosis of occupational NAEB requires evidence of sputum eosinophilia. Nevertheless, a minority of patients are not able to produce suitable sputum specimens. METHODS: This case report describes a 25-year-old woman, working as a hairdresser since the age of 20 years and handling ammonium persulfate, who came under our observation for work-related rhinitis and cough. RESULTS: A specific inhalation challenge with ammonium persulfate elicited dry cough, without any significant change in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1) ). Sputum induction was unsuccessful both pre- and after specific inhalation challenge. Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) values significantly increased after specific inhalation challenge, suggesting a diagnosis of occupational NAEB due to ammonium persulfate. CONCLUSIONS: From this observation we suggest that FeNO measurement should be added to the investigation of work-related cough during specific inhalation challenge, and may be considered as an alternative to induced sputum to evaluate bronchial inflammation when sputum collection is unavailable or unsuccessful.

[Fractional exhaled nitric oxide measurement during specific inhalation challenge tests]. / La misurazione dell'ossido nitrico nel test di provocazione bronchiale specifico.

The aim of the work is to evaluate the usefulness of the evaluation of the fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in patients with suspected occupational asthma (OA) during the specific inhalation challenge (SIC). We evaluated 5 subjects with OA confirmed by SIC and 7 subjects with negative SIC result. In subjects with confirmed OA, but not in SIC negative subjects, a significant increase in FeNO values has been reported. In conclusion, FeNO measurement may be considered a useful tollfor the evaluation of bronchial inflammation during the SIC.

Nasal blown secretion evaluation in specific occupational nasal challenges.

PURPOSE: To investigate the usefulness of nasal blown secretion evaluation during specific nasal provocation test (sNPT) in diagnosing occupational rhinitis (OR). METHODS: To validate the method, nasal blown secretions from 103 healthy subjects and 30 allergic rhinitis patients were analyzed. Furthermore, we analyzed nasal blown secretions, collected before and after sNPT, of 29 subjects with work-related rhinitis symptoms (WRRS) who underwent the diagnostic pathway for OR. Rhinoscopy and nasal symptom score were used to define a positive sNPT. RESULTS: A total of 89.6% WRRS subjects provided suitable nasal secretions. Eosinophils significantly increased after positive sNPTs compared to negative ones (P = 0.006). Four percent and/or 1 x 10(4) eosinophils/ml was the cut-off for a significant post-sNPT eosinophil increase. A total of 4/13 (33%) WRRS subjects with negative sNPT, assessed by rhinoscopy and nasal symptom score, presented a significant post-sNPT nasal eosinophil increase, and were identified as possible OR. CONCLUSION: Eosinophil evaluation in nasal blown secretions is an important tool in monitoring the response to occupational specific nasal challenges.

EAACI position paper on occupational rhinitis.

The present document is the result of a consensus reached by a panel of experts from European and non-European countries on Occupational Rhinitis (OR), a disease of emerging relevance which has received little attention in comparison to occupational asthma. The document covers the main items of OR including epidemiology, diagnosis, management, socio-economic impact, preventive strategies and medicolegal issues. An operational definition and classification of OR tailored on that of occupational asthma, as well as a diagnostic algorithm based on steps allowing for different levels of diagnostic evidence are proposed. The needs for future research are pointed out. Key messages are issued for each item.

Evaluation of basophil activation test in suspected food hypersensitivity.

BACKGROUND: Food hypersensitivity is characterized by a wide range of symptoms. The relationship between symptoms and food is more frequently suspected than objectively proven. Basophil activation test (BAT) is based on the evaluation of activation markers on blood basophils in vitro stimulated with drugs or allergens. The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of BAT when introduced in the routine work-up of suspected food hypersensitivity. METHODS: BAT was requested in subjects with food adverse reactions when a discrepancy existed among history and skin prick test (SPT) and/or specific IgE. Data from 150 subjects were analysed using CD63 as basophil activation marker. Thirty controls were evaluated for cut-offs. Immunoblots was performed with the sera of representative subjects positive for BAT and negative for SPT and sIgE. RESULTS: 1,024 BAT were carried out, the agreement (positive/positive and negative/negative) was 78.5% for BAT vs. SPT and 78.3% for BAT vs. IgE. Atopic patients, but not atopic controls, more frequently had a positive BAT than non-atopic patients (P < 0.0001). Among subjects with positive BAT, those with negative sIgE had lower total IgE, P = 0.001. Nearly 23.3% of all subjects had positive BAT (for at least one tested food) and both negative sIgE and SPT. Immunoblots revealed the presence of sIgE for the tested foods in representative patients with positive BAT, negative SPT and sIgE. CONCLUSION: Introduction of BAT in routine of food hypersensitivity, limited to subjects with a discrepancy between history and traditional tests, might be useful particularly when total IgE are low. © 2015 International Clinical Cytometry Society.

Occupational rhinitis affects occupational asthma severity.

BACKGROUND: The strong interactions between asthma and rhinitis, and the influence of rhinitis in the severity and/or control of asthma, have clearly been demonstrated. Nevertheless, no specific study has been conducted in the occupational setting. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess the severity of occupational asthma and rhinitis and evaluate whether rhinitis is a predictor for increased asthma severity. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical charts of 72 patients who received a diagnosis of allergic occupational asthma, with or without associated occupational rhinitis. RESULTS: Our findings suggested that persistent asthma tended to be more common in subjects with associated occupational asthma and rhinitis, and occupational asthma severity was associated with occupational rhinitis severity. Moderate-severe persistent occupational rhinitis is a risk factor for persistent occupational asthma. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated, for the first time in the occupational setting, a significant association between occupational rhinitis and asthma severity.

Kounis syndrome: A concise review with focus on management.

Kounis syndrome is defined as the co-incidental occurrence of an acute coronary syndrome with hypersensitivity reactions following an allergenic event and was first described by Kounis and Zavras in 1991 as an allergic angina syndrome. Multiple causes have been described and most of the data in the literature are derived from the description of clinical cases - mostly in adult patients - and the pathophysiology remains only partly explained. Three different variants of Kounis syndrome have been defined: type I (without coronary disease) is defined as chest pain during an acute allergic reaction in patients without risk factors or coronary lesions in which the allergic event induces coronary spasm that electrocardiographic changes secondary to ischemia; type II (with coronary disease) includes patients with pre-existing atheromatous disease, either previously quiescent or symptomatic, in whom acute hypersensitive reactions cause plaque erosion or rupture, culminating in acute myocardial infarction; more recently a type-III variant of Kounis syndrome has been defined in patients with preexisting coronary disease and drug eluting coronary stent thrombosis. The pathogenesis of the syndrome is discussed, and a therapeutic algorithm is proposed.

Specific immunotherapy and biological treatments for occupational allergy.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Occupational allergy represents a substantial health, social, and financial burden for the society. Its management is a complex task that, in selected cases, may also include allergen-specific immunotherapy. The purpose of this article is to review clinical data on allergen immunotherapy and biological treatments applied to occupational allergy in 2013. RECENT FINDINGS: Immunotherapy in occupational allergic diseases has been scarcely used, and only for a few sensitizers, such as latex, flour, and Hymenoptera venom, partly due to the lack of standardized extracts. The recent use of the molecular diagnosis can improve the indication and selection of suitable allergens for preparing new standardized and powerful extracts for immunotherapy. Some recent reports suggest a beneficial role of treatment with omalizumab in workers with occupational asthma who continue to be exposed to the causal agent. SUMMARY: Although scarce, available data suggest that immunotherapy and biological treatments may allow allergic workers to continue their work activity, but further studies are needed to standardize extracts and to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of these treatments, when exposure at the workplace cannot be avoided.

Anaphylaxis as occupational risk.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Anaphylaxis is a severe form of allergic reaction that may cause death. Main triggers of anaphylaxis have been reported to also cause occupational anaphylaxis (OcAn). The purpose of this article was to summarize the current scientific evidence on OcAn and review the specific literature published in 2012 and 2013. RECENT FINDINGS: Allergens derived from Hymenoptera and natural rubber latex are the most frequently reported triggers of OcAn, but other high and low-molecular weight agents have been described. Among the latter, foods, insects, snakes, chemicals, and medications have been described in the last 2 years. Furthermore, reviews on the clinical significance of immunological contact urticaria as a risk factor for systemic allergic reaction and on Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy have been published. SUMMARY: OcAn is a serious event, and several agents and occupations have been identified as responsible. In any occupational setting, where there is a worker with a history of previous anaphylactic reactions, and in occupations at greater risk, a written emergency management plan of anaphylaxis episodes, along with the availability of adrenaline and trained personnel, are mandatory. Venom immunotherapy should be considered for patients with Hymenoptera venom allergy.

Allergy to ortho-phthalaldehyde in the healthcare setting: advice for clinicians.

This study summarizes and reviews the available health information on ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA), a recently introduced and widespread disinfectant for heat-sensitive medical equipment, particularly focusing on its possible immunological effects in the healthcare setting. OPA properties derived from laboratory and clinical studies, and in vivo and in vitro tests for the diagnosis of OPA allergy are described. The available evidence suggests the spreading of OPA as disinfectant in endoscopy units despite the little available scientific evidence on its safety. Indeed, some papers reported on serious adverse reactions to OPA in patients and, to a lesser extent, in exposed workers, and in vivo studies suggested that OPA is a dermal and respiratory sensitizer. Finally, until more definite safety data become available only suggestions on possible preventive measures can be provided.

Pneumomediastinum is a possible acute complication of severe occupational asthma.

Occupational asthma has been reported to be the most common chronic respiratory occupational disease in many developed countries, and as with other occupational lung diseases, occupational asthma is potentially preventable. We report the case of a 24-year-old baker who experienced pneumomediastinum as a consequence of workplace exposure. This is the first report of pneumomediastinum as an acute complication of occupational asthma, and it exemplarily shows that the lack of medical surveillance at the workplace may lead to an acute, although unusual, complication.

Occupational exposure to toluene diisocyanate and neutrophilic bronchitis without asthma.

CONTEXT: Isocyanates represent a leading cause of occupational asthma, and sputum neutrophilia or eosinophilia has been described in subjects with isocyanate-induced occupational asthma after exposure to these chemicals. One case of non-asthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis due to methylene diphenil isocyanates has been reported, but a similar condition in the instance of neutrophilic bronchial inflammation has never been described. CASE DETAILS: We report a 34-year-old woman, who, 18 months after beginning work in a plastic industry, reported the onset of dry cough at work. Spirometry was normal, reversibility and methacholine challenge tests were negative. A specific inhalation challenge with toluene diisocyanate elicited dry cough without significant changes in respiratory function. Sputum induction showed a post-challenge neutrophil increase. DISCUSSION: The results of our case suggest that the occurrence of a neutrophilic bronchial inflammation without the functional characteristics of occupational asthma as a consequence of exposure to toluene diisocyanate may also be considered, suggesting a diagnosis of occupational non-asthmatic neutrophilic bronchitis.