A Case of Occupational Rhinitis Caused by Rice Powder in the Grain Industry.
10.4168/aair.2010.2.2.141
- Author:
Joo Hee KIM
1
;
Jeong Eun KIM
;
Gil Soon CHOI
;
Eui Kyung HWANG
;
Soyeon AN
;
Young Min YE
;
Hae Sim PARK
Author Information
1. Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea. hspark@ajou.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Occupational rhinitis;
rice;
grass pollen;
cross-reactivity;
immediate hypersensitivity
- MeSH:
Adult;
Asia;
Edible Grain;
Conjunctivitis;
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay;
Humans;
Hypersensitivity;
Hypersensitivity, Immediate;
Immunoglobulin E;
Inhalation;
Male;
Nasal Provocation Tests;
Occupational Exposure;
Poaceae;
Pollen;
Rhinitis;
Skin
- From:Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research
2010;2(2):141-143
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Rice is the major staple food in a large part of the world, especially in Asia. Hypersensitivity reactions to rice are rare. Moreover, cases of occupational allergies induced by inhalation of rice powder are uncommon. We report a 31-year-old male with work-related rhinitis and conjunctivitis symptoms caused by occupational exposure to rice powder in the grain industry. He showed positive responses to rice extracts on a skin prick test, and a high level of serum specific IgE to rice was detected by ELISA. Occupational rhinitis was confirmed by a nasal provocation test with rice extracts. An IgE ELISA inhibition test showed cross-creativity between rice and various grass pollen extracts. These findings suggest that the inhalation of rice powder can induce IgE-mediated occupational rhino-conjunctivitis, which may be derived from cross-reactivity to major grass pollens.
