Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To report a case of occupational asthma and urticaria due to the queen scallop (Chlamys opercularis) and king scallop (Pectin maximus).
BACKGROUND: A 40-year-old female worked in a shellfish-processing plant, handling king and queen scallops for 5 years. At the time of investigation, she described a 2-year history of work-related respiratory symptoms.
METHODS: Serial peak expiratory flow rate readings were recorded and an OASYS study completed. A workplace visit was undertaken and specific immunoglobulin (IgE) radioallergosorbent (RAST) testing of scallop extracts was performed.
RESULTS: The OASYS study was consistent with occupational asthma. RAST testing demonstrated evidence of specific sensitization (IgE) to queen and king scallop. There was also some cross-reactivity observed with other shellfish (prawns and crabs).
CONCLUSION: Workers exposed to aerosols from scallop species are at risk of occupational asthma and require effective respiratory health surveillance.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 63-6 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Occupational medicine (Oxford, England) |
| Volume | 56 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jan 2006 |
Keywords
- Adult
- Air Pollutants, Occupational/toxicity
- Animals
- Bivalvia
- Female
- Food Handling
- Humans
- Immunoglobulin E/immunology
- Occupational Diseases/diagnosis
- Occupational Exposure/adverse effects
- Peak Expiratory Flow Rate
- Pectinidae/chemistry
- Proteins/toxicity
- Radioallergosorbent Test
- Respiratory Hypersensitivity/diagnosis
- Shellfish
- Urticaria/diagnosis
