PHARYNGEAL EDEMA CAUSED BY OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO CELLULASE ENZYME

Enzymes can cause allergic asthma and rhinitis. Although patients some times complain of symptoms in their throat, we have not been able to f ind any published report of pharyngeal edema caused by exposure to enz ymes. We present the case of a maintenance foreman who worked in a fac tory producing enzymes, and who had pharyngeal edema, asthma, and rhin itis at work. Prick tests for cellulase enzyme and cellulase PAST were positive. The causal association between his pharyngeal symptoms and cellulase was demonstrated with inhalation provocation tests in an exp osure chamber.