Occupational asthma caused by samba (Triplochiton scleroxylon) wood dust in a professional maker of wooden models of airplanes: A case study

• Authors: Patrycja Krawczyk-Szulc , Marta Wiszniewska , Cezary Pałczyński , Ewa Nowakowska-Świrta , Anna Kozak , Jolanta Walusiak-Skorupa

Abstracts

EN

Objectives: Wood dust is a known occupational allergen that may induce, in exposed workers, respiratory diseases including asthma and allergic rhinitis. Samba (obeche, Triplochiton scleroxylon) is a tropical tree, which grows in West Africa, therefore, Polish workers are rarely exposed to it. This paper describes a case of occupational asthma caused by samba wood dust. Material and Methods: The patient with suspicion of occupational asthma due to wood dust was examined at the Department of Occupational Diseases and Clinical Toxicology in the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine. Clinical evaluation included: analysis of occupational history, skin prick tests (SPT) to common and occupational allergens, determination of serum specific IgE to occupational allergens, serial spirometry measurements, metacholine challenge test and specific inhalation challenge test with samba dust. Results: SPT and specific serum IgE assessment revealed sensitization to common and occupational allergens including samba. Spirometry measurements showed mild obstruction. Metacholine challenge test revealed a high level of bronchial hyperactivity. Specific inhalation challenge test was positive and cellular changes in nasal lavage and induced sputum confirmed allergic reaction to samba. Conclusions: IgE mediated allergy to samba wood dust was confirmed. This case report presents the first documented occupational asthma and rhinitis due to samba wood dust in wooden airplanes model maker in Poland.

Keywords

EN

occupational asthma; wood dusts; samba; triplochiton scleroxylon; specific inhalation challenge test

• Publisher: Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof. dra Jerzego Nofera w Łodzi
• Journal: International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health
• Year: 2014
• Volume: 27
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 512-519

Dates

published

2014

Contributors

author

Patrycja Krawczyk-Szulc

• Department of Occupational Diseases and Clinical Toxicology, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland

author

Marta Wiszniewska

• Department of Occupational Diseases and Clinical Toxicology, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland

author

Cezary Pałczyński

• Department of Allergology and Environmental Health, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland

author

Ewa Nowakowska-Świrta

• Department of Allergology and Environmental Health, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland

author

Anna Kozak

• Department of Occupational Diseases and Clinical Toxicology, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland

author

Jolanta Walusiak-Skorupa

• Department of Occupational Diseases and Clinical Toxicology, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland

Identifiers

DOI

10.2478/s13382-014-0253-0

Biblioteka Nauki

2178859