IDENTIFICATION OF IGE-BINDING COMPONENTS IN OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA CAUSED BY CORN DUST

Background: There have been some reports of corn dust-induced occupati onal asthma that suggest nonimmunologic mechanisms. In this paper, we present a case of occupational asthma and rhinitis caused by corn dust where bronchoconstriction was induced by an IgE-mediated reaction. Me thods and Results: The patient had positive responses to weed and gras s pollens as well as corn dust extracts. The bronchoprovocation test e licited an early asthmatic response to corn dust extracts. Serum-speci fic IgE and IgG4 antibodies to corn dust extracts were detected by enz yme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In order to identify further t he allergenic component of the extracts, sodium dodecyl sulphate-polya crylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and electroblotting studies w ere performed. Ten IgE-binding components (9 to 140 kD) were detected within the corn dust extracts. Conclusion: These results suggest that inhalation of corn dust can cause IgE mediated bronchoconstriction in an exposed worker.