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Evaluation of the prevalence of antiwheat-, anti-flour dust, and anti-alpha-amylase specific IgE antibodies in US blood donors.

Biagini-RE; MacKenzie-BA; Sammons-DL; Smith-JP; Striley-CAF; Robertson-SK; Snawder-JE

Ann Allergy, Asthma, & Immun 2004 Jun; 92(6):649-653

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1081-1206(10)61431-7

20025383

Asthma in bakery workers is one of the most frequently occurring forms of occupational asthma in the world. Experience from other countries has shown the prevalence of sensitization (IgE) to bakery-associated allergens (BAAs) (wheat [W], flour dust [FD], alpha-amylase [AA]) in bakery workers to be 5% to 53%, whereas the prevalence in nonoccupationally exposed individuals was estimated to be 1.2% to 6.4%. To estimate the prevalence of BAA sensitization by measuring BAA specific IgE in the residual serum tubes of volunteer blood donors. METHODS: Serum samples from 534 volunteer blood donors were measured for anti-W, anti-FD, and anti-AA specific IgE antibodies (in duplicate) using the AlaSTAT microplate assay. Samples with BAA IgE concentrations of 0.35 kU/L or greater were considered positive. Nineteen of 530 serum samples (3.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.3%-3.9%) were positive for W (range, 0.38-3.61 kU/L), whereas 31 of 534 (5.8%; 95% CI, 5.3%-6.3%) were positive for FD (range, 0.35-2.34 kU/L) and 5 of 529 (1.0%; 95% CI, 0.9%-1.1%) were positive for AA (range, 0.38-1.59 kU/L). Thirteen serum samples were positive for both W and FD; 1 sample each was positive for W and AA and FD and AA. The prevalence of IgE sensitization in serum samples from a relatively large unselected population of volunteer blood donors is 1.0% for AA, 3.6% for W, and 5.8% for FD, which agrees well with data from other countries for sensitization prevalence rates for nonoccupationally exposed individuals.

Respiratory-irritants; Respiratory-system-disorders; Bakery-workers; Allergens; Allergic-disorders; Allergic-reactions; Dust-particles; Dusts; Sensitization; Blood-sampling; Blood-tests; Plant-dusts

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226

ALAIF6

4016-14-2

20040601

Journal Article

rbiagini@cdc.gov

2004

6

1081-1206

DART

Research Tools and Approaches: Exposure Assessment Methods

Annals of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology

OH