Occupational allergy caused by spathe flower (Spathiphyllum wallisii). 1995

L Kanerva, and S Mäkinen-Kiljunen, and R Kiistala, and H Granlund
Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland.

Occupational allergy caused by plants is seldom reported although it is probably relatively common. We report on a 22-year-old male atopic caretaker of plants who developed IgE-mediated allergic rhinitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis, and contact and generalized urticaria caused by exposure to spathe flower (Spathiphyllum wallisii) while he was working for a firm that supplied plants to offices. He also had an asthmatic attack at work, but in bronchial provocation tests conducted 8 months after he had stopped doing the work in question, he developed rhinoconjunctivitis, pharyngitis, and laryngitis, but exhibited neither bronchial reaction nor fall in PEF values. Prick tests with spathe flower gave 3+ reactions for exudates from the flower, pollen, stem, and leaves. He also had several positive reactions to fruits, vegetables, and spices, but not to natural rubber latex. The radioallergosorbent test with spathe flower was positive (3.4 PRU/ml, close to class 3). In protein staining with SDS-PAGE, one heavy band was detected at about 14 kDa, and other faint bands were visible on both sides. Six faint bands were detected at the mol. mass range of 30-67 kDa. In IgE immunoblotting, one heavy band was detected at about 14 kDa. The patient became symptomless after he had ceased working with plants.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D006969 Hypersensitivity, Immediate Hypersensitivity reactions which occur within minutes of exposure to challenging antigen due to the release of histamine which follows the antigen-antibody reaction and causes smooth muscle contraction and increased vascular permeability. Atopic Hypersensitivity,Hypersensitivity, Atopic,Hypersensitivity, Type I,IgE-Mediated Hypersensitivity,Type I Hypersensitivity,Atopic Hypersensitivities,Hypersensitivities, Atopic,Hypersensitivities, IgE-Mediated,Hypersensitivities, Immediate,Hypersensitivities, Type I,Hypersensitivity, IgE-Mediated,IgE Mediated Hypersensitivity,IgE-Mediated Hypersensitivities,Immediate Hypersensitivities,Immediate Hypersensitivity,Type I Hypersensitivities
D008297 Male Males
D009784 Occupational Diseases Diseases caused by factors involved in one's employment. Diseases, Occupational,Occupational Illnesses,Disease, Occupational,Illnesse, Occupational,Illnesses, Occupational,Occupational Disease,Occupational Illnesse
D010944 Plants Multicellular, eukaryotic life forms of kingdom Plantae. Plants acquired chloroplasts by direct endosymbiosis of CYANOBACTERIA. They are characterized by a mainly photosynthetic mode of nutrition; essentially unlimited growth at localized regions of cell divisions (MERISTEMS); cellulose within cells providing rigidity; the absence of organs of locomotion; absence of nervous and sensory systems; and an alternation of haploid and diploid generations. It is a non-taxonomical term most often referring to LAND PLANTS. In broad sense it includes RHODOPHYTA and GLAUCOPHYTA along with VIRIDIPLANTAE. Plant
D012130 Respiratory Hypersensitivity A form of hypersensitivity affecting the respiratory tract. It includes ASTHMA and RHINITIS, ALLERGIC, SEASONAL. Airway Hyperresponsiveness,Hypersensitivity, Respiratory,Airway Hyper-Responsiveness,Airway Hyper Responsiveness,Airway Hyperresponsivenesses,Hyper-Responsiveness, Airway,Hyperresponsiveness, Airway,Respiratory Hypersensitivities
D001985 Bronchial Provocation Tests Tests involving inhalation of allergens (nebulized or in dust form), nebulized pharmacologically active solutions (e.g., histamine, methacholine), or control solutions, followed by assessment of respiratory function. These tests are used in the diagnosis of asthma. Allergen Bronchial Provocation Tests,Allergen Challenge, Endobronchial,Antigen Bronchial Provocation Tests,Bronchial Allergen Challenge,Bronchial Challenge Tests,Inhalation Provocation Tests,Provocation Tests, Bronchial,Endobronchial Challenge Tests,Allergen Challenge, Bronchial,Allergen Challenges, Bronchial,Allergen Challenges, Endobronchial,Bronchial Allergen Challenges,Bronchial Challenge Test,Bronchial Provocation Test,Challenge Test, Bronchial,Challenge Test, Endobronchial,Challenge Tests, Bronchial,Challenge Tests, Endobronchial,Challenge, Bronchial Allergen,Challenge, Endobronchial Allergen,Challenges, Bronchial Allergen,Challenges, Endobronchial Allergen,Endobronchial Allergen Challenge,Endobronchial Allergen Challenges,Endobronchial Challenge Test,Inhalation Provocation Test,Provocation Test, Bronchial,Provocation Test, Inhalation,Provocation Tests, Inhalation,Test, Bronchial Challenge,Test, Bronchial Provocation,Test, Endobronchial Challenge,Test, Inhalation Provocation,Tests, Bronchial Challenge,Tests, Bronchial Provocation,Tests, Endobronchial Challenge,Tests, Inhalation Provocation
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
D012882 Skin Tests Epicutaneous or intradermal application of a sensitizer for demonstration of either delayed or immediate hypersensitivity. Used in diagnosis of hypersensitivity or as a test for cellular immunity. Skin Test,Test, Skin,Tests, Skin
D014581 Urticaria A vascular reaction of the skin characterized by erythema and wheal formation due to localized increase of vascular permeability. The causative mechanism may be allergy, infection, or stress. Hives,Urticarial Wheals,Urticarial Wheal,Urticarias,Wheal, Urticarial,Wheals, Urticarial

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