title: Isocyanate-induced occupational asthma: challenge and immunologic studies.
abstract: Isocyanate is the most prevalent agent in occupational asthma(OA) in Korea. We analyzed 43 toluene diisocyanate(TDI) induced OA patients of whom 81% were found to be spray painters. The bronchial sensitivity of all subjects was confirmed by TDI-bronchial challenge test. Serum-specific IgE antibodies to isocyanate-human serum albumin(HSA) conjugate were detected by RAST technique(Pharmacia, Sweden). Bronchial challenge test results revealed 21(57%) early, 5 late only, 4 dual, and 12 atypical responders(5 prolonged immediate, 6 square-shaped, 1 progressive). Four(9%) subjects had negative results on the methacholine bronchial challenge test. High levels of serum specific IgE antibody to isocyanate-HSA were found in 17(40%) patients. The prevalence of a specific IgE antibody was not associated with a type of TDI-bronchial challenge test response, smoking and atopic status, presence of rhino-sinusitis and systemic symptoms, or a degree of airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine(p > 0.05). The period of latency, ranging from 3 to 132 months, was significantly longer in high specific IgE responders (p < 0.05). These data suggest that 40% of isocyanate-induced occupational asthma patients had high specific IgE antibody to isocyanate-HSA conjugate. The presence of specific IgE antibody does not seem to correlate with clinical parameters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Nahm
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014051:Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D014051:Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate; D007073:Immunoglobulin E