Occupational IgE-mediated softwood allergy: characterization of the causative allergen.
Int Arch Allergy Immunol
; 157(2): 202-8, 2012.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21986217
ABSTRACT
Allergic reactions to wood dust allergens are rare, and only few in vitro diagnostic tools and information about relevant allergens are available. To differentiate between protein-based allergy and probably clinically silent glycogenic sensitization, it is helpful to characterize the relevant protein allergens and specify IgE binding. The current case report deals with the occupational softwood allergy of a carpenter exposed to different wood dusts. Skin tests and IgE tests against wood were performed with specifically tailored ImmunoCAPs and cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants. Potential allergens were identified by IgE blots and tandem mass spectrometry. The clinical relevance was verified by challenge tests. Specific IgE to softwood (spruce, pine and larch wood), beech wood, natural rubber latex (NRL) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were detected. Allergens in spruce wood, the dominant allergen source, were identified as peroxidases. Softwood were the strongest inhibitors. HRP reduced IgE binding to softwood to <50%, indicating predominantly proteinogenic epitopes, whereas IgE binding to NRL and beech wood was reduced to >50% by HRP, indicating predominantly glycogenic IgE epitopes. Skin and challenge tests underlined that softwoods were the source of sensitization. For the polysensitized patient, a clinically relevant softwood allergy was diagnosed, not only by challenge tests but also with specifically tailored in vitro tools.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Wood
/
Immunoglobulin E
/
Allergens
/
Dust
/
Hypersensitivity, Immediate
/
Occupational Diseases
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
Limits:
Adult
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
En
Journal:
Int Arch Allergy Immunol
Journal subject:
ALERGIA E IMUNOLOGIA
Year:
2012
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Germany