cellulase and Asthma

Baking and food industry workers are exposed to several powdered Aspergillus-derived enzymes with carbohydrate-cleaving activity that are commonly used to enhance baked products. We describe a retrospective study of sensitization to fungal alpha-amylase and cellulase on bakers. Five bakers in whom respiratory allergy symptoms developed when they were exposed to bread "improvers" that contained fungal alpha-amylase and cellulase were investigated by in vivo and in vitro tests. Type I hypersensitivity to these enzymes was demonstrated in the five patients by means of skin testing, histamine release test, positive reverse enzyme-immunoassay for specific IgE antibodies, and bronchial provocation test response to alpha-amylase or cellulase or both. Isolated immediate and dual responses to the bronchial challenge tests with these enzymes were observed. Immunoblot analysis with use of a pooled serum identified IgE-binding components in both enzymes. In the reverse-enzyme immunoassay-inhibition assays cross-reactivity between alpha-amylase and cellulase was not found, but some degree of cross-reactivity between alpha-amylase and A. oryzae, and between cellulase and A. niger was demonstrated. Four of the patients were also sensitized to cereal flour. Aspergillus-derived enzymes used as flour additives can elicit IgE-mediated respiratory allergy, and this fact has to be considered in the diagnosis and clinical management of bakers' asthma.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Allergens; Amylases; Aspergillus; Asthma; Bronchial Provocation Tests; Cellulase; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Female; Food Additives; Histamine Release; Humans; Immunoblotting; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Immunoglobulin E; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Diseases; Respiratory Hypersensitivity; Skin Tests; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate

Three employees from two different detergent companies were investigated for occupational asthma, using skin prick tests, serum specific IgE, and specific bronchial challenge. Two were challenged with lipase and one with cellulase. All three cases had immunological evidence of sensitisation to the detergent enzymes with which they worked. Bronchial challenge in each provoked a reproducible dual asthmatic response, which reproduced their work related symptoms. These are the first reported cases of occupational asthma attributable to cellulase and lipase in the detergent industry. Four of the most common enzymes used in this industry have now been reported to cause occupational asthma; continued vigilance and caution are needed when working with these or other enzymes.

Topics: Adult; Asthma; Bronchial Provocation Tests; Cellulase; Detergents; Female; Humans; Industry; Lipase; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Diseases; Skin Tests

The baking additives xylanase and cellulase were described as baking additives causing baker's asthma. It is not known whether monosensitization to these enzymes may occur.. We present a case report of a baker with work-related asthma evaluated by skin prick test (SPT), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (EAST), immunoblot, EAST and immunoblot inhibition, and specific bronchial challenge. Fungal xylanase and alpha-amylase were measured by two-site enzyme immunoassays in products used by the patient at work.. Allergy to xylanase and cellulase was demonstrated by SPT, EAST, immunoblot and specific bronchial challenge (for xylanase only). No sensitization to alpha-amylase could be demonstrated, but there was a weak flour allergy as documented by EAST and immunoblot and a positive occupational-type challenge with high concentrations of rye flour. Four baking additives contained measurable amounts of fungal alpha-amylase and xylanase, without a correlation between these enzymes.. We conclude that occupational asthma due to the baking additives xylanase and cellulase may occur without concomitant sensitization to alpha-amylase and only weak sensitization to flour.

Topics: Adult; alpha-Amylases; Asthma; Cellulase; Cooking; Flour; Food Additives; Humans; Immunoglobulin E; Male; Occupational Diseases; Xylan Endo-1,3-beta-Xylosidase; Xylosidases

Occupational asthma is the principal cause of respiratory disease in the workplace. The enzymes phytase and beta-glucanase are used in the agricultural industry to optimise the nutritional value of animal feeds. A relation between these enzymes and occupational asthma in a 43 year old man was suspected.. Inhalation challenge tests were performed with the enzymes phytase, beta-glucanase, and amylase. Skin prick tests were performed with the enzymes diluted to a concentration of 1 mg/ml and 5 mg/ml. Specific IgE to phytase and beta-glucanase were measured with a radioallergosorbent test.. Baseline spirometry values were normal. A histamine challenge test showed bronchial hyperreactivity. Exposure to phytase and beta-glucanase led to significant reductions in forced vital capacity and forced expired volume in 1 second. No significant differences were noted after exposure to amylase. Skin tests showed a positive reaction to beta-glucanase (5 mm) at a concentration of 1 mg/ml and positive reactions to beta-glucanase (7 mm) and phytase (5 mm) at a concentration of 5 mg/ml. Similarly specific IgE was present against both phytase and beta-glucanase, at 2.5% and 9.3% binding respectively (2% binding is considered positive).. This is the first description of occupational asthma due to the enzymes phytase and beta-glucanase. Their addition to the ever increasing list of substances associated with occupational asthma will have notable implications for those exposed to these enzymes.

Topics: 6-Phytase; Adult; Animal Feed; Asthma; Bronchial Provocation Tests; Cellulase; Food Additives; Humans; Male; Occupational Diseases; Skin Tests

This study attempted to develop and evaluate a challenge test for diagnosing allergic asthma and rhinitis due to cellulase.. Challenge tests in a chamber were performed on 11 persons sensitized to cellulase. Four different enzyme-lactose mixtures, starting from a 0.03% mixture, were used. The enzyme dust was generated from a dry enzyme preparation mixed with lactose powder, using pressurized air. The cellulase concentration in the air was measured with an immunochemical method.. Nasal, pharyngeal, or bronchial symptoms could be elicited at cellulase air concentrations of 1 to 1300 microg/m3. A dose-response relationship was observed for symptoms in repeated challenge tests with increasing concentrations of cellulase. For 2 persons skin symptoms could also be reproduced.. The challenge method proved to be a practical means with which to simulate conditions at the worksite and elicit the specific respiratory symptoms of the patients.

Topics: Adult; Asthma; Cellulase; Dust; Female; Finland; Humans; Inhalation Exposure; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Exposure; Respiratory Function Tests; Rhinitis

The striking decrease in the occurrence of protease-induced occupational asthma in the detergent Industry has been attributed to enzyme encapsulation. We report an outbreak of asthma, at least equal in size to those reported in the 1960s, in a modem European factory which has exclusively used encapsulated enzymes. A survey revealed that enzyme sensitisation and work-related respiratory symptoms were positively correlated with airborne enzyme exposure. We suggest that encapsulation alone is insufficient to prevent enzyme-Induced allergy and asthma.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Amylases; Asthma; Cellulase; Detergents; Disease Outbreaks; Endopeptidases; Europe; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Diseases; Occupational Exposure; Skin Tests

Although there have been a few reports of occupational asthma due to cellulase in several occupational settings, this is the first case of cellulase-induced occupational asthma in an employee working in the textile industry. Its pathogenetic mechanism remains to be further clarified.. It is important to alert physicians to the possibility of occupational asthma caused by cellulase in workers of the textile industry.. The patient had atopy and strong positive responses to cellulase extract on skin prick tests. Bronchoprovocation test showed an early asthmatic response to cellulase extract. Serum specific IgE and specific IgG4 antibodies to cellulase were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In order to further characterize the allergenic component of the extract, sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and electroblotting studies were performed. Eight IgE binding components ranging from 6 to 97.5 kD were detected within the cellulase extract.. These findings suggest that inhalation of cellulase can induce IgE-mediated bronchoconstrictions in employees working in the textile industry.

Topics: Adult; Antibodies, Fungal; Antibody Specificity; Asthma; Bronchial Provocation Tests; Cellulase; Fungal Proteins; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Immunoglobulin E; Immunoglobulin G; Male; Methacholine Chloride; Occupational Diseases; Skin Tests; Textile Industry

Modern biotechnical methods have enabled production of many new types of potentially allergenic proteins. Enzymes have long been known to be respiratory allergens, but relatively few cases of skin allergy have been reported. Here we describe four patients who developed occupational allergic respiratory symptoms, three with bronchial asthma and one with allergic rhinitis, caused by cellulase and/or xylanase enzymes. Each patient also had urticarial symptoms after skin contact with these enzymes. In addition, one of the patients had allergic contact dermatitis from cellulase, and one from xylanase. Allergic contact dermatitis was verified by positive patch tests with the enzymes, and the immediate allergy was revealed by skin prick tests, specific IgE determinations (RAST) and RAST-inhibition tests. All patients had positive RASTs to both cellulase and xylanase. In the RAST inhibition test 20 microliters of cellulase brought about a 94% inhibition, indicating the specificity of the RAST. Xylanase (20 microliters, 5% w/v) gave an 92% inhibition of cellulase RAST, indicating cross-reactivity between cellulase and xylanase. Three patients have been able to continue at their previous places of work, but at different worksites. One of the patients requires continuous medication for asthma and had to change her job because of persistent symptoms.

Topics: Adult; Allergens; Asthma; Biotechnology; Cellulase; Dermatitis, Contact; Female; Glycoside Hydrolases; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Immunoglobulin E; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Diseases; Radioallergosorbent Test; Skin Tests; Urticaria; Xylan Endo-1,3-beta-Xylosidase

Inhalation of enzyme dusts can cause occupational asthma, and the list of enzymes able to induce asthma is increasing. We report two patients with asthma induced by occupational exposure to cellulase powder derived from Aspergillus niger. A type I hypersensitivity to this enzyme was demonstrated by means of skin test reactivity, positive passive transfer test, positive reverse enzyme immunoassay for specific IgE, and immediate bronchial provocation test response to cellulase dust. Skin tests with an A. niger extract were positive. Cross-reactivity between cellulase dust and an entire A. niger extract was also demonstrated.

Topics: Adult; Asthma; Bronchial Provocation Tests; Cellulase; Dust; Female; Forced Expiratory Volume; Humans; Immunization, Passive; Occupational Diseases; Precipitin Tests; Skin Tests