title: [Occupational allergies to phytase].
abstract: Phytases are phosphatases that can break down the undigestible phytic acid (phytate). They are frequently used as an animal feed supplement - often in poultry and swine - to enhance the nutritive value of plant material by liberation of inorganic phosphate from phytate. Exposure to enzyme dusts has long been known to cause occupational allergies. The present paper reviews the results of the evaluation of literature data concerning occupational airway sensitization due to phytases. Cases of specific airway sensitization caused by phytases could be shown clearly by the presented studies. As symptoms, results of skin prick tests, detection of specific IgE-antibodies and results of specific challenge tests are consistent, an immunologic mechanism can be assumed.
authors.affiliation: BGFA - Forschungsinstitut für Arbeitsmedizin der Deutschen Gesetzlichen Unfallversicherung, Institut der Ruhr-Universität Bochum. kampen@bgfa.de
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: van Kampen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Merget
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Brüning
mesh_terms: D010832:6-Phytase / Q000633:toxicity*; D000821:Animal Feed / Q000633:toxicity*; D004391:Dust; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D004391:Dust; D010832:6-Phytase