J Korean Med Sci.  1996 Aug;11(4):314-318. 10.3346/jkms.1996.11.4.314.

Isocyanate-induced occupational asthma: challenge and immunologic studies

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.

Abstract

Isocyanate is the most prevalent agent in occupational asthma(OA) in Korea. We analyzed 43 toluene diisocyanate(TDI) induced OA patients of whom 81% were found to be spray painters. The bronchial sensitivity of all subjects was confirmed by TDI-bronchial challenge test. Serum-specific IgE antibodies to isocyanate-human serum albumin(HSA) conjugate were detected by RAST technique(Pharmacia, Sweden). Bronchial challenge test results revealed 21(57%) early, 5 late only, 4 dual, and 12 atypical responders(5 prolonged immediate, 6 square-shaped, 1 progressive). Four(9%) subjects had negative results on the methacholine bronchial challenge test. High levels of serum specific IgE antibody to isocyanate-HSA were found in 17(40%) patients. The prevalence of a specific IgE antibody was not associated with a type of TDI-bronchial challenge test response, smoking and atopic status, presence of rhino-sinusitis and systemic symptoms, or a degree of airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine(p> 0.05). The period of latency, ranging from 3 to 132 months, was significantly longer in high specific IgE responders (p< 0.05). These data suggest that 40% of isocyanate-induced occupational asthma patients had high specific IgE antibody to isocyanate-HSA conjugate. The presence of specific IgE antibody does not seem to correlate with clinical parameters.

Keyword

Isocyanate; Asthma; Specific IgE; Isocyanate-human serum albumin; Bronchoprovocation test

MeSH Terms

Allergens/adverse effects/*immunology
Asthma/chemically induced/*immunology
Female
Human
Immunoglobulin E/blood/*immunology
Male
Occupational Exposure/*adverse effects
Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate/adverse effects/*immunology
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