OCCUPATIONAL ALLERGY IN SAFFRON WORKERS

Sensitization to the flower of saffron, a plant commonly grown in Spai n for commercial purposes, and its clinical significance as an occupat ional allergen were studied. The prick test and RAST, with saffron pol len, stamen, and pistil extracts, were used to evaluate the cutaneous and specific antibody responses in the studied population. Provocation tests in patients with clinical findings were used to verify the impl ication of saffron components in these symptoms. Fifty saffron workers were evaluated. Three of them were sensitized to saffron pollen and s tamen proteins, giving prick and RAST positive values. One patient pre sented asthma, showing a positive bronchial provocation test, and two patients rhinoconjunctivitis, showing positive conjunctival provocatio n tests. Of a general allergic population of 237, 10 patients also pre sented cutaneous test and IgE positive to saffron. Saffron allergens ( from pollen and stamens) were characterized by SDS-PAGE immunoblotting . A relevant allergen of 15.5 kDa with profilinic nature was detected and further purified by high-resolution gel filtration chromatography. No allergenic components were demonstrated in pistils. Cross-reactivi ty of saffron extracts was evaluated by RAST inhibition with respect t o other pollen species commonly causing sensitization in the same area of study. A significant degree of cross-reactivity was demonstrated b etween saffron and Lolium, Salsola, or Olea. The identification of the protein components involved in the cross-reactions was investigated b y blot inhibition.