IgE-mediated allergy to phytase -- a new animal feed additive.
BACKGROUND
Although fungal phytase is frequently used as an additive to animal feed few investigations of its allergenic property have been conducted.


METHODS
Fifty-three subjects occupationally exposed to powdered phytase from Aspergillus niger were studied. Exposure data and symptoms were registered by the company physician.


RESULTS
Thirty-eight subjects complained of work-related respiratory symptoms and 14 of them showed phytase-specific IgE antibodies; only one asymptomatic subject revealed such antibodies. IgE antibodies were significantly more frequently found in the high-exposure group (technical centre) when compared with the low-exposure group (laboratories, experimental animal husbandry). Phytase-specific IgG antibodies were present in 19 symptomatic (50%) and five (33%) asymptomatic subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results demonstrate that powdered fungal phytase is a highly sensitizing substance whose inhalation exposure should be avoided. Hypersensitivity symptoms could be prevented by means of extensive hygienic measures and ongoing medical surveillance.
Baur
X
X
Zentralinstitut für Arbeitsmedizin, Institute for Occupational Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.
Melching-Kollmuss
S
S
Koops
F
F
Strassburger
K
K
Zober
A
A
D010832:6-Phytase / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D000328:Adult; D000821:Animal Feed / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000818:Animals; D000918:Antibody Specificity / Q000276:immunology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005503:Food Additives / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013223:Statistics as Topic
D005503:Food Additives; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D010832:6-Phytase