Occupational asthma related to aescin inhalation.
BACKGROUND
More than 400 agents are recognized as causes of occupational asthma, a work-related disease that can be induced by an immunologic or a nonimmunologic mechanism.


OBJECTIVE
To describe a 57-year-old man employed in the pharmaceutical industry who developed bronchial asthma while working with products such as Plantago ovata and aescin, an active ingredient with anti-inflammatory and venotonic properties.


METHODS
Various tests were performed, including radiography, total serum IgE titer measurements, skin tests against common pneumoallergens and Plantago species, pulmonary function studies, a methacholine test, and specific inhalation challenge with P. ovata and aescin.


RESULTS
The results of these tests, including specific inhalation challenge, confirmed the diagnosis of occupational asthma due to aescin exposure, whereas the results of specific challenge with P. ovata, a known cause of occupational asthma, were negative.


CONCLUSIONS
Aescin may represent a new causative agent of occupational asthma in personnel working in the pharmaceutical industry. The mechanism by which aescin can produce asthma is unknown, but analysis of the characteristics of our patient suggests a non-IgE immunologic mechanism, although an irritative mechanism secondary to long-term low-level exposure to aescin, a possible irritant, cannot be ruled out.
Muñoz
Xavier
X
Departamento de Biología Celular, Fisiología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. xmunoz@vhebron.net
Culebras
Mario
M
Cruz
Maria-Jesus
MJ
Morell
Ferran
F
D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004928:Escin / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D001239:Inhalation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011620:Psyllium / Q000633:toxicity; D012882:Skin Tests
D004928:Escin; D011620:Psyllium