Lactase-induced occupational protein contact dermatitis and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. 2007

Arja Laukkanen, and Pirkko Ruoppi, and Sami Remes, and Tiina Koistinen, and Soili Mäkinen-Kiljunen
Department of Dermatology, Kuopio Unievrsity Hospital, Kuopio 70211, Finland. arja.laukkanen@kuh.fi

Enzymes are high-molecular-weight proteins and highly sensitizing occupational allergens used widely in industrial processes. Lactase has been described to cause work-related respiratory and conjunctival immunoglobulin (Ig)-E-mediated sensitizations in workers in the pharmaceutical industry. In these previous reports, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis or asthma was confirmed with prick tests but not by challenge tests. Lactase previously has not been described as a cause of immediate or delayed contact skin reaction. Furthermore, there are no previous reports of lactase-specific IgE. We report a case of protein contact dermatitis and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis from occupational exposure to lactase in a pharmaceutical worker. The patient exhibited strong positive responses to lactase in prick tests. In an open application test, lactase elicited whealing, and in patch testing, lactase elicited an eczematous reaction. Serum lactase-specific IgE antibodies were demonstrated in immunospot and radioallergosorbent test assays, and lactase-IgE-binding fractions and their specificities were examined in immunoblot and immunoblot inhibition assays. The chamber challenge test was performed to detect the association between lactase sensitization and rhinoconjunctival symptoms. Our results have confirmed the previous observations that lactase can induce occupational IgE-mediated respiratory and conjunctival sensitizations, but they show that contact skin reactions caused by lactase may also occur.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007073 Immunoglobulin E An immunoglobulin associated with MAST CELLS. Overexpression has been associated with allergic hypersensitivity (HYPERSENSITIVITY, IMMEDIATE). IgE
D009783 Dermatitis, Occupational A recurrent contact dermatitis caused by substances found in the work place. Occupational Dermatitis,Dermatosis, Industrial,Industrial Dermatosis,Dermatitides, Occupational,Dermatoses, Industrial,Industrial Dermatoses,Occupational Dermatitides
D010593 Pharmaceutical Services Total pharmaceutical services provided by qualified PHARMACISTS. In addition to the preparation and distribution of medical products, they may include consultative services provided to agencies and institutions which do not have a qualified pharmacist. Pharmaceutic Services,Pharmaceutical Care,Pharmacy Services,Services, Pharmaceutic,Services, Pharmaceutical,Services, Pharmacy,Care, Pharmaceutical,Pharmaceutic Service,Pharmaceutical Service,Pharmacy Service,Service, Pharmaceutic,Service, Pharmaceutical,Service, Pharmacy
D012129 Respiratory Function Tests Measurement of the various processes involved in the act of respiration: inspiration, expiration, oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange, lung volume and compliance, etc. Lung Function Tests,Pulmonary Function Tests,Function Test, Pulmonary,Function Tests, Pulmonary,Pulmonary Function Test,Test, Pulmonary Function,Tests, Pulmonary Function,Function Test, Lung,Function Test, Respiratory,Function Tests, Lung,Function Tests, Respiratory,Lung Function Test,Respiratory Function Test,Test, Lung Function,Test, Respiratory Function,Tests, Lung Function,Tests, Respiratory Function
D003233 Conjunctivitis, Allergic Conjunctivitis due to hypersensitivity to various allergens. Allergic Conjunctivitis,Conjunctivitis, Atopic,Conjunctivitis, Giant Papillary,Conjunctivitis, Vernal,Keratoconjunctivitis, Vernal,Allergic Conjunctivitides,Atopic Conjunctivitides,Atopic Conjunctivitis,Conjunctivitides, Allergic,Conjunctivitides, Atopic,Conjunctivitides, Giant Papillary,Conjunctivitides, Vernal,Giant Papillary Conjunctivitides,Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis,Keratoconjunctivitides, Vernal,Papillary Conjunctivitides, Giant,Papillary Conjunctivitis, Giant,Vernal Conjunctivitides,Vernal Conjunctivitis,Vernal Keratoconjunctivitides,Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis
D003937 Diagnosis, Differential Determination of which one of two or more diseases or conditions a patient is suffering from by systematically comparing and contrasting results of diagnostic measures. Diagnoses, Differential,Differential Diagnoses,Differential Diagnosis
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D000485 Allergens Antigen-type substances that produce immediate hypersensitivity (HYPERSENSITIVITY, IMMEDIATE). Allergen

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