Occupational asthma induced by cephalosporin precursor.
- Author:
Tae Hoon MIN
1
;
Duck Shin CHO
;
Nam Hee KWON
;
Byung Wan LEE
;
Bo Hyun KANG
;
Jun Seong SON
;
Sang Yop SHIN
;
Kyoung Won HA
;
Byung Jae LEE
;
Dong Chull CHOI
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. dcchoi@smc.samsung.co.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
occupational asthma;
cephalosporin
- MeSH:
Adult;
Anaphylaxis;
Asthma, Occupational*;
Bronchial Provocation Tests;
Cefazolin;
Cefotiam;
Ceftriaxone;
Dyspnea;
Humans;
Intradermal Tests;
Male;
Respiratory Function Tests;
Respiratory Sounds;
Skin;
Skin Tests;
Thorax
- From:Journal of Asthma, Allergy and Clinical Immunology
2003;23(1):90-94
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
A 41-year-old male pharmaceutical worker developed dyspnea and wheezing 10 years after beginning the work. He had handled powder of cephalosporin precursor, 7-aminocephalosporanic acid (7-ACA). He had suffered from dyspnea, chest tightness and wheezing in the workplace for the last three years. Recently, these symptoms were aggravated. His pulmonary function test showed severe obstructive pattern and PC(20) was 0.06 mg/ml on MBPT(methacholine bronchial provocation test). Skin prick test and intradermal test showed positive reactions to ceftriaxone, cefazolin, etc. During the skin test, he suffered from an asthmatic attack and anaphylactic shock. Bronchial provocation test with cefotiam elicited a dual asthmatic reaction. We presumed that IgE-mediated mechanism may be mainly involved in the pathogenesis of cephalosporin induced occupational asthma, in addition to other immunologic or non-immunologic mechanisms. Further studies will be necessary to investigate the pathogenesis of this disease.
