title: Occupational asthma in the commercial fishing industry: a case series and review of the literature.
abstract: We present a case series of snow crab-induced occupational asthma (OA) from a fishing and processing vessel, followed by a review of OA in the commercial fishing industry. OA is typically caused from an IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reaction after respiratory exposure to aerosolized fish and shellfish proteins. It more commonly occurs due to crustaceans, but molluscs and fin fish are implicated as well. Standard medical therapy for asthma may be used acutely; however, steps to reduce atmospheric allergen concentrations in the workplace have proven to be preventive for this disease.
authors.affiliation: Santé au Travail en Iroise, Occupational Service, Brest, France. d.lucas@metrabrest.com
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Boniface
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jegaden
authors.forename: Brice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lodde
authors.forename: Jean-Ariel
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Dewitte
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D005398:Fisheries; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012196:Review Literature as Topic; D012767:Ships