title: Occupational allergy to fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) in laboratory workers.
abstract: Drosophila melanogaster(the 'fruit fly') is commonly used in genetic research, but there is only one report of IgE-associated allergy in exposed workers. 4 newly identified cases prompted us to examine the extent of this problem in a university laboratory. Our aim in this study is to determine the prevalence and determinants of sensitisation to fruit flies in a population of exposed workers.
  
  
  
  In a cross-sectional study, we surveyed 286 employees working in a department carrying out research involvingD. melanogaster. Sensitisation was assessed by specific IgE measurement in serum and examined in relation to symptoms and to estimated exposure to fruit flies.
  
  
  
  The overall prevalence of specific sensitisation was 6% with a clear relationship to increasing frequency/intensity of exposure (p trend<0.001). Work-related eye/nose, chest or skin symptoms were reported by substantial proportions of participants but for most of these there was no evidence of specific sensitisation to fruit fly. The overall prevalence of any work-related symptoms and sensitisation was 2.4%, rising to 7.1% in those working in high exposure groups.
  
  
  
  We were able to demonstrate, for the first time, a clear exposure-response relationship between fruit fly exposure and specific sensitisation. Facilities housing fruit flies should carefully consider methods to reduce exposure levels in the workplace.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK.
authors.forename: Meinir
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: Occupational Health Service, Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Blair
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: MacNeill
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Welch
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hole
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Primary Care, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Baxter
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cullinan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D059232:Laboratory Personnel; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015995:Prevalence; D012882:Skin Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007073:Immunoglobulin E