ASTHMA CAUSED BY THE GRAIN WEEVIL

Asthma Caused by the Grain Weevil.

The grain weevil (Sitophilus granarius) caused symptoms of allergic rhinitis and asthma in two laboratory workers, one after exposure to weevil dust for only six months and the other after three years. The former worker also noticed sneezing when she was cooking with National Flour. Skin testing with extracts of the grain weevil faecal dust gave positive skin responses. The antibodies were succ...

Millworkers' asthma: allergic responses to the grain weevil (Sitophilus granarius).

Two laboratory workers, who spent a considerable time each day handling grain infested by the grain weevil (Sitophilus granarius), developed allergic responses to this insect varying from rhinitis and pruritus to marked asthma. These findings suggested that weevil protein present in mill dust could result in sensitization in those exposed continuously. A pilot study was therefore undertaken on ...

Pulmonary hypersensitivity to the grain weevil.

Occupational asthma caused by white mushroom.

The commercial growing of white mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) is a frequent activity in certain Spain regions as La Rioja. We report two cases of white mushroom workers suffering from asthma caused by hypersensitivity to basidiocarp and spores of white mushroom.

Occupational asthma caused by dry metabisulphite.

A case is described of occupational asthma in a worker with no previous history of asthma who sprinkled dried metabisulphite powder onto potatoes and developed work-related symptoms. Occupational asthma was confirmed by specific inhalation challenges.