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Hypersensitivity Reactions and Specific Antibodies in Workers Exposed to Industrial Enzymes at a Biotechnology Plant
Author(s) -
Biagini Raymond E.,
Driscoll Richard J.,
Bernstein David I.,
Wilcox Thomas G.,
Henningsen Gerry M.,
MacKenzie Barbara A.,
Burr Gregory A.,
Scinto John D.,
Baumgardner Eric S.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
journal of applied toxicology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.784
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1099-1263
pISSN - 0260-437X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1099-1263(199603)16:2<139::aid-jat321>3.0.co;2-p
Subject(s) - bacillus licheniformis , immunoglobulin e , antibody , enzyme , alpha amylase , alpha (finance) , immunology , protease , medicine , chemistry , biology , amylase , bacillus subtilis , biochemistry , bacteria , surgery , genetics , construct validity , patient satisfaction
Thirty‐six employees who produced industrial enzymes from selected strains of bacteria and fungi were evaluated by epicutaneous threshold testing and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for specific IgE and IgG antibodies. The workers complained of ‘asthma‐ and flu‐like’ symptoms, which generally lessened away from work. The enzymes evaluated were: α‐amylase (1,4‐α‐d‐glucan glucanohydrolase) from Bacillus licheniformis (αABl), B. subtilis formation 1 (αA1Bs) and B. subtilis formation 2 (αA2Bs); purified α‐amylase from B. licheniformis (CαABl) and A. oryzae (CαAAo); alkaline protease from B. licheniformis (APBl) and purified alkaline protease (CAPBl); amyloglucosidase (1,4‐α‐d‐glucan glucohydrolase) from A. niger (AGAn) and purified amyloglucosidase (CAGAn). Statistically significant increases (P > 0.05) in the proportion of workers having positive skin tests to CAPBl, AGAn and CAGAn were found. Significantly elevated (P > 0.05) mean specific IgE results were observed for CαAAo CAGAn and AGAn, and elevated (P > 0.05) mean specific IgGs were observed for CαAAo, CAGAn, AGAn, αA1Bs, αAB1 and αA2Bs. These results indicate that occupational exposure to some industrial enzymes can cause immediate‐onset cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions, pulmonary function deficits and significantly elevated specific antibody levels. Our results are equivocal as to whether work‐related respiratory and cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions are antibody mediated, as there was no statistically significant association between these reactions and specific IgE or IgG levels.