title: Occupational asthma caused by inhalation of surfactant composed of amines.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Occupational asthma (OA) is highly prevalent in industrialized countries and nearly 400 causal agents of this condition have been described to date. This study aims to describe the case of a patient who developed OA secondary to exposure to a surfactant agent comprised of alkylamine ethoxylate and a mixture of alkyleneoxy and ethylenediamine.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present the case of a male worker in the meat industry suffering from OA resulting from exposure to a surfactant agent used to clean the animal carcass before it is quartered. We performed various tests on the individual, including: a chest computed tomography; total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and specific IgE tests against common pneumoallergens; pulmonary function studies; a methacholine test; and a specific inhalation challenge to the surfactant agent.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The tests confirmed the diagnosis of OA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We discuss whether the amines present in the surfactant or the agent itself might be the cause of the condition. Because of the extensive use of surfactants in several types of industries, it is reasonable to think that their possible relationship with OA may have relevant health implications.
authors.affiliation: Pneumology Department, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Villar-Gómez
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Culebras
authors.forename: Ferran
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Morell
authors.forename: María-Jesus
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Cruz
mesh_terms: D000003:Abattoirs; D000473:Alkanes / Q000009:adverse effects; D000588:Amines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced*; D003902:Detergents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005029:Ethylenediamines / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D016273:Occupational Exposure
chemical_list: D000473:Alkanes; D000588:Amines; D003902:Detergents; D005029:Ethylenediamines; C031234:ethylenediamine