Identification of IgE-binding components in occupational asthma caused by corn dust.
BACKGROUND
There have been some reports of corn dust-induced occupational asthma that suggest nonimmunologic mechanism. In this paper, we present a case of occupational asthma and rhinitis caused by corn dust where bronchoconstriction was induced by an IgE-mediated reaction.


RESULTS
The patient had positive responses to weed and grass pollens as well as corn dust extracts. The bronchoprovocation test elicited an early asthmatic response to corn dust extracts. Serum-specific IgE and IgG4 antibodies to corn dust extracts were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In order to identify further the allergenic component of the extracts, sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and electroblotting studies were performed. Ten IgE-binding components (9 to 140 kD) were detected within the corn dust extracts.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that inhalation of corn dust can cause IgE-mediated bronchoconstriction in an exposed worker.
Park
H S
HS
Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
Nahm
D H
DH
D000328:Adult; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000097:blood; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D004391:Dust / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D011485:Protein Binding; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D012967:Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate; D003313:Zea mays
D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D004391:Dust; C026408:anti-IgE antibodies; C048844:anti-IgG; D012967:Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate; D007073:Immunoglobulin E