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A baker's occupational allergy to flour moth ( Ephestia kuehniella )
Author(s) -
MäkinenKiljunen S.,
MussaloRauhamaa H.,
Petman L.,
Rinne J.,
Haahtela T.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.363
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1398-9995
pISSN - 0105-4538
DOI - 10.1034/j.1398-9995.2001.00142.x
Subject(s) - immunoglobulin e , sensitization , allergy , allergen , radioallergosorbent test , wheat flour , immunology , medicine , food science , biology , antibody
Background: Allergy to insects is common. However, few reports cover occupational sensitization to flour moth ( Ephestia [syn. Anagasta] kuehniella ). We describe a baker who suffered from IgE‐mediated occupational respiratory allergy to flour moth. Methods: The skin prick test (SPT) and serum IgE tests were used to evaluate the patient's sensitivity to flour moth. Allergen cross‐reactivity with mites was evaluated in IgE‐inhibition studies. Clinical sensitivity was evaluated by nasal challenge test. Pulmonary function tests were repeatedly monitored. Results: SPT with flour moth gave a 6‐mm wheal, and an elevated level of flour moth‐specific IgE was measured in the patient's serum (1.9 PRU/ml, RAST class 2). Immunoblotting with the patient's serum revealed at least seven heavy IgE‐binding bands with molecular masses of 22, 35, 43, 53, 65, 77, and >86 kDa in the extract of flour moth. Allergen cross‐reactivity with mites was demonstrated in inhibition studies. Immediate‐type allergy to flour moth was confirmed by nasal challenge. Increased daily variability of PEF values was observed during workplace exposure. Conclusions: A baker's occupational respiratory allergy to flour moth was confirmed.