IL-18 levels in nasal lavage after inhalatory challenge test with flour in bakers diagnosed with occupational asthma.
OBJECTIVE
The authors discuss the outcomes of a study on IL-18 concentration in nasal washings after the inhalatory challenge test with flour allergens (ICHT-F) in bakers with flour-induced occupational airway allergy (OAA).


METHODS
We measured IL-18 concentration using ELISA kit and assessed morphological changes in nasal lavage fluid (NLF) before, and 4 h and 24 h after ICHT-F in three groups of subjects: Group A - 9 patients with diagnosed OAA (occupational asthma and rhinitis), Group B - 10 patients with atopic asthma and rhinitis, and Group C - 9 healthy volunteers.


RESULTS
In Group A, significant differences in the basophil proportion in NLF were noted only 24 h after ICHT-F. Both the basophil proportion and total eosinophil count were higher in Group A than in Group C at this time-point. Group A also showed a statistically significant increase in IL-18 levels 4 h after the challenge. A significant relationship was noted between the proportion of basophils 4 h after ICHT-F and IL-18 level at 24 h after the test.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study demonstrating an increased expression of IL-18 in nasal washings of subjects diagnosed with OAA to flour allergens. The observed higher concentrations of IL-18 in nasal washings after ICHT as well as the increase in the proportion of basophils provide evidence for the important role of IL-18 in persistent allergic inflammation.
Krakowiak
Anna
A
Department of Occupational Diseases, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland. annakrak@imp.lodz.pl
Walusiak
Jolanta
J
Krawczyk
Patrycja
P
Wiszniewska
Marta
M
Dudek
Wojciech
W
Wittczak
Tomasz
T
Pałczyński
Cezary
C
D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D001491:Basophils / Q000276:immunology; D005433:Flour / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005525:Food-Processing Industry; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017817:Nasal Lavage Fluid / Q000276:immunology*; D009299:Nasal Provocation Tests; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000485:Allergens; D020382:Interleukin-18