title: First evidence of occupational asthma to argan powder in a cosmetic factory.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Argan is used worldwide in numerous cosmetic products, as this fruit is supposed to have many beneficial properties on health. New cases of allergy can be expected with the growing use of argan. We investigated all workers (9) employed by a cosmetic factory and exposed to argan powder to identify possible allergies related to exposure to argan powder.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were investigated in the occupational disease department and, according to their symptoms, underwent pulmonary function testing, methacholine challenge, specific inhalation challenge to argan powder, skin prick tests, and immunoblotting analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We report three cases of occupational asthma to argan powder and a probable case of rhinitis. Fifteen argan proteins were recognized by the patients' IgE. Identification of proteins, cross-reactions to nuts, and ELISA inhibition tests suggested that some argan allergens can cross-react in vitro with hazelnut allergens, including 11S globulin and vicilin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High-level exposure to argan powder should be considered to be a potential cause of IgE-mediated allergy, and workers handling argan powder should be carefully investigated.
authors.affiliation: Occupational Diseases Department, Bâtiment Philippe Canton, CHU Nancy, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.|EA-7298 INGRES, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Paris
authors.affiliation: INSERM UMR1027 (The French National Institute of Health and Medical Research), Toulouse, France.|University of Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France.|Occupational diseases department, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Herin
authors.affiliation: Occupational Diseases Department, Bâtiment Philippe Canton, CHU Nancy, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.|EA-7298 INGRES, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Penven
authors.affiliation: Occupational Diseases Department, Bâtiment Philippe Canton, CHU Nancy, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.|EA-7298 INGRES, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Thaon
authors.affiliation: GENCLIS SA, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Richard
authors.affiliation: GENCLIS SA, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jacquenet
authors.affiliation: EA-7298 INGRES, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France.|Dermatology and Allergy Department, Bâtiment Philippe Canton, CHU Nancy, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barbaud
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Function Testing and Exercise Physiology, CHU Nancy, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.|EA 3450 DevAH - Development, Adaptation and Disadvantage. Cardiorespiratory regulations and motor control, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Poussel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D052179:Antigens, Plant / Q000276:immunology*; D059366:Asthma, Occupational / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors; D029632:Sapotaceae / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D003358:Cosmetics; D007073:Immunoglobulin E
keywords: argan powder; immunoblotting; occupational asthma; specific inhalation challenge