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Brassica oleracea pollen, a new source of occupational allergens
Author(s) -
Hermanides H. K.,
Laheÿ de Boer A. M.,
Zuidmeer L.,
Guikers C.,
Ree R.,
Knulst A. C.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.363
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1398-9995
pISSN - 0105-4538
DOI - 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2006.01055.x
Subject(s) - brassica oleracea , pollen , radioallergosorbent test , botrytis , allergy , medicine , allergen , botany , horticulture , biology , immunology , botrytis cinerea
Background: Vegetable pollen is a rare source of occupational allergens. Occupational allergy has only been described in the case of paprika pollen and tomato pollen. We describe a new source of occupational pollen allergy. Aim: To study the incidence and the impact of broccoli and cauliflower pollen allergy in employees involved in classical plant breeding. Methods: Fifty‐four employees of five companies working with cauliflower ( Brassica oleracea botrytis ) and broccoli ( B. oleracea italica / cymosa ) pollen were eligible for complete evaluation. Allergy to cauliflower and broccoli pollen was evaluated by questionnaire and determination of sensitization by radioallergosorbent test (RAST) and skin‐prick tests (SPT). SPT and RAST were performed with a panel of commercial and homemade extracts from cauliflower and broccoli pollen. Results: Work‐related symptoms such as rhinitis, conjunctivitis, asthma and urticaria caused by B. oleracea pollen were reported by 44% of the participants (24/54), of whom all but one had positive SPT for cauliflower‐ and/or broccoli‐pollen/flower extracts and 58% (14/24) had positive RAST results. Symptoms had developed within the first 2 years in 33% of the patients. Six patients had to stop or change work. Conclusions: Brassica oleracea pollen is a new source of occupational allergen with strong allergenic potential leading to symptoms in almost half of the exposed employees.