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Occupational rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma in a wool worker caused by Dermestidae spp.
Author(s) -
Brito F. Feo,
Mur P.,
Barber D.,
Lombardero M.,
Galindo P. A.,
Gómez E.,
Borja J.
Publication year - 2002
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.1398-9995.2002.23676.x
Subject(s) - dermestidae , provocation test , occupational asthma , allergy , medicine , asthma , wool , glass wool , immunoglobulin e , evening , dermatology , immunology , biology , pathology , chemistry , larva , history , botany , alternative medicine , physics , archaeology , organic chemistry , layer (electronics) , astronomy , antibody
Background: The family Dermestidae belongs to the order Coleoptera. Occupational allergy has been described in museum personnel. A 31‐year‐old male wool worker presenting rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma episodes probably linked to exposure to Dermestidae‐infected wool was investigated. Methods: Extracts prepared either from insect bodies or from dust from parasitized wool were used for skin prick testing (SPT), conjunctival and bronchial provocation tests and in vitro determinations. Results: SPT and provocation tests were positive to both extracts. PEFR measurement demonstrated the association between the patient's symptoms and occupational exposure to Dermestidae . Specific IgE to both extracts was detected and immunoblotting revealed several protein bands from 5 to 200 kDa that were reactive to IgE from the patient's serum. Conclusions: Dermestidae exposure in wool workers when handling parasitized wool can be a cause of IgE‐mediated rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma.