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Occupational asthma caused by samba (Triplochiton scleroxylon) wood dust in a professional maker of wooden models of airplanes: A case study

  • Case Report
  • Published:
International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

Abstract

Objectives

Wood dust is a known occupational allergen that may induce, in exposed workers, respiratory diseases including asthma and allergic rhinitis. Samba (obeche, Triplochiton scleroxylon) is a tropical tree, which grows in West Africa, therefore, Polish workers are rarely exposed to it. This paper describes a case of occupational asthma caused by samba wood dust.

Material and Methods

The patient with suspicion of occupational asthma due to wood dust was examined at the Department of Occupational Diseases and Clinical Toxicology in the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine. Clinical evaluation included: analysis of occupational history, skin prick tests (SPT) to common and occupational allergens, determination of serum specific IgE to occupational allergens, serial spirometry measurements, metacholine challenge test and specific inhalation challenge test with samba dust

Results

SPT and specific serum IgE assessment revealed sensitization to common and occupational allergens including samba. Spirometry measurements showed mild obstruction. Metacholine challenge test revealed a high level of bronchial hyperactivity. Specific inhalation challenge test was positive and cellular changes in nasal lavage and induced sputum confirmed allergic reaction to samba.

Conclusions

IgE mediated allergy to samba wood dust was confirmed. This case report presents the first documented occupational asthma and rhinitis due to samba wood dust in wooden airplanes model maker in Poland.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Occupational Diseases and Clinical Toxicology, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland

    Patrycja Krawczyk-Szulc, Marta Wiszniewska, Anna Kozak & Jolanta Walusiak-Skorupa

  2. Department of Allergology and Environmental Health, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland

    Cezary Pałczyński & Ewa Nowakowska-Świrta

  3. Department of Occupational Diseases and Clinical Toxicology, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, św. Teresy 8, 91-348, Łódź, Poland

    Patrycja Krawczyk-Szulc

Authors
  1. Patrycja Krawczyk-Szulc
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  2. Marta Wiszniewska
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  6. Jolanta Walusiak-Skorupa
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Correspondence to Patrycja Krawczyk-Szulc.

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Krawczyk-Szulc, P., Wiszniewska, M., Pałczyński, C. et al. Occupational asthma caused by samba (Triplochiton scleroxylon) wood dust in a professional maker of wooden models of airplanes: A case study. IJOMEH 27, 512–519 (2014). https://doi.org/10.2478/s13382-014-0253-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s13382-014-0253-0

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