Hypersensitivity reactions and specific antibodies in workers exposed to industrial enzymes at a biotechnology plant.
Thirty-six employees who produced industrial enzymes from selected strains of bacteria and fungi were evaluated by epicutaneous threshold testing and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for specific IgE and IgG antibodies. The workers complained of 'asthma- and flu-like' symptoms, which generally lessened away from work. The enzymes evaluated were: alpha-amylase (1,4-alpha-d-glucan glucanohydrolase) from Bacillus licheniformis (alpha ABl), B. subtilis formation 1 (alpha A1Bs) and B. subtilis formation 2 (alpha A2Bs); purified alpha-amylase from B. licheniformis (C alpha ABl) and A. oryzae (C alpha AAo); alkaline protease from B. licheniformis (APBl) and purified alkaline protease (CAPBl); amyloglucosidase (1,4-alpha-d-glucan glucohydrolase) from A. niger (AGAn) and purified amyloglucosidase (CAGAn). Statistically significant increases (P > 0.05) in the proportion of workers having positive skin tests to CAPBl, AGAn and CAGAn were found. Significantly elevated (P > 0.05) mean specific IgE results were observed for C alpha AAo CAGAn and AGAn, and elevated (P > 0.05) mean specific IgGs were observed for C alpha AAo, CAGAn, AGAn, alpha A1Bs, alpha AB1 and alpha A2Bs. These results indicate that occupational exposure to some industrial enzymes can cause immediate-onset cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions, pulmonary function deficits and significantly elevated specific antibody levels. Our results are equivocal as to whether work-related respiratory and cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions are antibody mediated, as there was no statistically significant association between these reactions and specific IgE or IgG levels.
Biagini
R E
RE
Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA.
Driscoll
R J
RJ
Bernstein
D I
DI
Wilcox
T G
TG
Henningsen
G M
GM
MacKenzie
B A
BA
Burr
G A
GA
Scinto
J D
JD
Baumgardner
E S
ES
D000328:Adult; D001709:Biotechnology; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006004:Glycogen Debranching Enzyme System / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012882:Skin Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000516:alpha-Amylases / Q000009:adverse effects*
D006004:Glycogen Debranching Enzyme System; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D000516:alpha-Amylases; C030563:amylo-1,6-glucosidase; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases