title: Wheat IgE profiling and wheat IgE levels in bakers with allergic occupational phenotypes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterise occupational wheat allergic phenotypes (rhino-conjunctivitis, asthma and dermatitis) and immunoglobulin (IgE) sensitisation to particular wheat allergens in bakers.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted clinical and immunological evaluations of 81 consecutive bakers reporting occupational symptoms using commercial tests (skin prick test (SPT), specific IgE, ISAC microarray) and six additional dot-blotted wheat allergens (Tri a 39, Tri a Trx, Tri a GST, Tri a 32, Tri a 12, Tri a DH).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Wheat SPT resulted positive in 29 bakers and was associated with work-related asthma (p<0.01). Wheat IgE was detected in 51 workers and was associated with work-related asthma (p<0.01) and rhino-conjunctivitis (p<0.05). ISAC Tri a 30 was positive in three workers and was associated with work-related dermatitis (p<0.05). Wheat dot-blotted allergens were positive in 22 bakers. Tri a 32 and Tri a GST were positive in 13 and three bakers, respectively, and both were associated with work-related dermatitis (p<0.05). This association increased (p<0.01) when Tri a 32, Tri a GST and Tri a 30 were analysed together (p<0.01). Wheat IgE levels were associated with work-related dermatitis (p<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Wheat IgE levels and wheat microarrayed allergens may be associated with some occupational allergic phenotypes. The extension of the panel of wheat allergens may be promising for discriminating the clinical manifestations of baker's allergy.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Occupational Medicine, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy. mario.olivieri@univr.it
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Olivieri
authors.forename: Carlo Alberto
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Biscardo
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Palazzo
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pahr
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Malerba
authors.forename: Rosetta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ferrara
authors.forename: Danila
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zennaro
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zanoni
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xumerle
authors.forename: Rudolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Valenta
authors.forename: Adriano
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mari
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens; D059366:Asthma, Occupational / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D019649:Food Industry; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010641:Phenotype; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000379:methods; D021182:Wheat Hypersensitivity / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E