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Occupational hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to molds in an onion and potato sorter
Author(s) -
Merget R.,
Sander I.,
Rozynek P.,
RaulfHeimsoth M.,
Bruening T.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.20534
Subject(s) - hypersensitivity pneumonitis , medicine , bronchoalveolar lavage , lymphocytosis , aspergillus fumigatus , penicillium , aspergillus , fusarium solani , immunology , lung , microbiology and biotechnology , food science , biology
A 42‐year‐old female non‐smoking onion and potato sorter developed work‐related shortness of breath, cough, fatigue and flu‐like symptoms. The diagnosis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis was based on patchy infiltrates in both lungs on high resolution computed tomography and lymphocytosis of 71% in a bronchoalveolar lavage sample with a CD4/CD8 ratio of 0.4. Exposure cessation and initial corticosteroid therapy resulted in complete recovery. IgG antibodies to Penicillium species and Fusarium solani cultivated from samples from the patient's workplace were detected in the patient's serum and cross‐reactivity was demonstrated within Penicillium species, but also between Penicillium species and Aspergillus fumigatus . We conclude that occupational hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to molds may develop in onion and potato sorters. Am. J. Ind. Med. 51:117–119, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.