title: [Seafood allergy in cooks: a case series and review of the literature].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Seafood is a very potent allergen. Epidemiological studies of seafood allergy in the highly exposed cooking profession are lacking. The objective of this first case series was to demonstrate the high relevance and consequences of seafood allergy in cooks. PATIENTS UND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all the case files sent in which the presence of an occupational disease according to no. 5101 of the appendix of the German ordinance on industrial disease was to be clarified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty cooks (men 70 %) with an occupational seafood allergy were assessed between January 2008 and April 2014. Seafood allergy was observed in youngish workers(median age 24.7 yrs.) with an early manifestation of the disease (after 1.7 yrs. of occupation in median). In all except one (96.7 %) onset was localized on the hands.Most commonly documented were immediate sensitizations to cod, salmon, trout,and herring. Emergency treatment due to an anaphylactic shock at the workplace became necessary in 5 cases (16.7 %). In 27 cases (90 %) discontinuation of occupation was needed and was carried out after 6.3 yrs. of occupation in median.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Seafood allergy in cooks is mostly characterized by a quick progressive course of disease, already at the start of the cooking career. The prognosis for continuance in occupation is poor and an occupational disease is to be considered at a nearly stage. An emergency kit with an epinephrine auto-injector should be provided for life by the responsible accident insurer.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, St. Josef-Hospital, Universitätsklinikum der Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum.
authors.forename: Heinrich
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dickel
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bruckner
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Altmeyer
authors.forename: Beate
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Künzlberger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000175:diagnosis; D003296:Cooking; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D004837:Epinephrine