[Allergic asthma due to sausage mould].
BACKGROUND
Chronic cough is a common reason for consultation in respiratory medicine. The three most frequent causes of chronic cough are asthma, postnasal drip syndrome or rhinosinusitis, and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.


METHODS
We describe a case of chronic cough related to occupational asthma with sensitivity to dry sausage mould (Penicillium nalgiovensis) in a worker in a semi-industrial pork butchers. The diagnosis was based on the history of symptoms, positive skin prick-tests, spirometry, a normal pulmonary CT-scan, and a favourable outcome after avoidance of the allergen. It was notified as a case of occupational disease.


CONCLUSIONS
A diagnosis of asthma should be considered in a worker exposed to dry sausage mould presenting with respiratory symptoms like chronic cough without evidence of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Skin prick-tests and allergen avoidance are useful in the diagnosis.
Talleu
C
C
Service de Pneumologie et Immuno-Allergologie, Pôle des Maladies Respiratoires, Hôpital Calmette, CHRU de Lille, France.
Delourme
J
J
Dumas
C
C
Wallaert
B
B
Fournier
C
C
D000485:Allergens; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003371:Cough / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008461:Meat Products / Q000382:microbiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D010407:Penicillium / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000379:methods
D000485:Allergens