Occupational asthma induced by inhaled egg lysozyme. 1993

J A Bernstein, and A Kraut, and D I Bernstein, and R Warrington, and T Bolin, and C P Warren, and I L Bernstein
College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati.

A 26-year-old man employed in a company which manufactured hen egg white derived lysozyme for use in the pharmaceutical industry was evaluated for occupational asthma. The worker began to experience immediate-onset asthmatic symptoms two months after starting to work with egg lysozyme powder. The work process involved the production of approximately 1,000 kg of purified dried lysozyme powder per week. Prick skin testing was positive to egg lysozyme (50 mg/ml) and other egg protein components, but negative to whole egg white and egg yolk reagents. Serum specific IgE to egg lysozyme was documented. Decrements in serial peak expiratory flow rates were associated with lysozyme exposure at work. A specific bronchoprovocation challenge to lysozyme powder was positive demonstrating an isolated immediate asthmatic response (48 percent decrease from baseline FEV1). This is the first reported case of lysozyme-induced asthma specifically caused by inhalational exposure to egg lysozyme.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007073 Immunoglobulin E An immunoglobulin associated with MAST CELLS. Overexpression has been associated with allergic hypersensitivity (HYPERSENSITIVITY, IMMEDIATE). IgE
D008297 Male Males
D009113 Muramidase A basic enzyme that is present in saliva, tears, egg white, and many animal fluids. It functions as an antibacterial agent. The enzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of 1,4-beta-linkages between N-acetylmuramic acid and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues in peptidoglycan and between N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues in chitodextrin. EC 3.2.1.17. Lysozyme,Leftose,N-Acetylmuramide Glycanhydrolase,Glycanhydrolase, N-Acetylmuramide,N Acetylmuramide Glycanhydrolase
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
D004529 Egg White The white of an egg, especially a chicken's egg, used in cooking. It contains albumin. (Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2d ed) Egg Whites
D004797 Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay An immunoassay utilizing an antibody labeled with an enzyme marker such as horseradish peroxidase. While either the enzyme or the antibody is bound to an immunosorbent substrate, they both retain their biologic activity; the change in enzyme activity as a result of the enzyme-antibody-antigen reaction is proportional to the concentration of the antigen and can be measured spectrophotometrically or with the naked eye. Many variations of the method have been developed. ELISA,Assay, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent,Assays, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent,Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay,Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays,Immunosorbent Assay, Enzyme-Linked,Immunosorbent Assays, Enzyme-Linked
D005511 Food Handling Any aspect of the operations in the preparation, processing, transport, storage, packaging, wrapping, exposure for sale, service, or delivery of food. Food Processing,Handling, Food,Processing, Food
D005541 Forced Expiratory Volume Measure of the maximum amount of air that can be expelled in a given number of seconds during a FORCED VITAL CAPACITY determination . It is usually given as FEV followed by a subscript indicating the number of seconds over which the measurement is made, although it is sometimes given as a percentage of forced vital capacity. Forced Vital Capacity, Timed,Timed Vital Capacity,Vital Capacity, Timed,FEVt,Capacities, Timed Vital,Capacity, Timed Vital,Expiratory Volume, Forced,Expiratory Volumes, Forced,Forced Expiratory Volumes,Timed Vital Capacities,Vital Capacities, Timed,Volume, Forced Expiratory,Volumes, Forced Expiratory
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

Related Publications

J A Bernstein, and A Kraut, and D I Bernstein, and R Warrington, and T Bolin, and C P Warren, and I L Bernstein
January 1987, American journal of industrial medicine,
J A Bernstein, and A Kraut, and D I Bernstein, and R Warrington, and T Bolin, and C P Warren, and I L Bernstein
January 1987, MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report,
J A Bernstein, and A Kraut, and D I Bernstein, and R Warrington, and T Bolin, and C P Warren, and I L Bernstein
January 2003, International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health,
J A Bernstein, and A Kraut, and D I Bernstein, and R Warrington, and T Bolin, and C P Warren, and I L Bernstein
February 1987, JAMA,
J A Bernstein, and A Kraut, and D I Bernstein, and R Warrington, and T Bolin, and C P Warren, and I L Bernstein
March 1979, Clinical allergy,
J A Bernstein, and A Kraut, and D I Bernstein, and R Warrington, and T Bolin, and C P Warren, and I L Bernstein
May 1999, The European respiratory journal,
J A Bernstein, and A Kraut, and D I Bernstein, and R Warrington, and T Bolin, and C P Warren, and I L Bernstein
May 1996, Allergy,
J A Bernstein, and A Kraut, and D I Bernstein, and R Warrington, and T Bolin, and C P Warren, and I L Bernstein
August 1990, Chest,
J A Bernstein, and A Kraut, and D I Bernstein, and R Warrington, and T Bolin, and C P Warren, and I L Bernstein
December 1997, The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology,
J A Bernstein, and A Kraut, and D I Bernstein, and R Warrington, and T Bolin, and C P Warren, and I L Bernstein
January 1989, Allergologia et immunopathologia,
Copied contents to your clipboard!