title: [Spinach powder-induced exogenous allergic alveolitis].
abstract: A 51-year old woman developed hypersensitivity pneumonitis to spinach powder, which is used as a food dye. The diagnosis was confirmed by demonstration of IgG2-antibodies in the patient's serum to distinct bands of spinach extract by Western blotting. Furthermore an exposure test with the natural allergen was positive. Severe disease with fever, chills and dyspnoea developed after inhalation of native spinach powder. Arterial pO2 dropped significantly and pulmonary function tests showed severe restrictive impairment and reduction of diffusion capacity. Leucocyte count and the serum concentrations of the cytokines TNF alpha and IL6 and of the soluble IL2-receptor rose significantly in peripheral blood, whereas the concentration of neopterine did not change. 24 hours after exposure bronchoalveolar lavage showed an increase of neutrophils. In lung parenchyma mononuclear interstitial infiltrates and an epitheloid cell granuloma were seen.
authors.affiliation: Forschungszentrum Borstel, Medizinische Klinik.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schreiber
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zabel
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schlaak
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Amthor
mesh_terms: D000542:Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D001706:Biopsy; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; D005260:Female; D005505:Food Coloring Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005511:Food Handling; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D011208:Powders; D018724:Spinacia oleracea
chemical_list: D005505:Food Coloring Agents; D011208:Powders
vernacular_title: Spinatpulverinduzierte exogen-allergische Alveolitis.