Occupational asthma and rhinitis due to glutaraldehyde: changes in nasal lavage fluid after specific inhalatory challenge test

Background: Glutaraldehyde (GA) is a known respiratory sensitizers, and som e studies have reported occupational asthma in exposed workers. Specific ch anges in nasal lavage fluid (NLF) induced by high-molecular-weight allergen provocation in sensitized subjects were described previously. The purpose of this Study was to evaluate the changes in cytogram. protein content, eos inophil cationic protein (ECP), and mast-cell tryptase concentrations in NL F after GA inhalation challenge in patients with a positive history of GA-i nduced asthma and late or dual asthmatic response due to exposure to low-le vel GA. Methods: A single-blind. placebo-controlled study was performed on 11 healt h workers with occupational asthma and rhinitis due to GA. The control grou ps comprised 10 atopic subjects with perennial asthma and rhinitis and 10 h ealthy ones. A "nasal pool" technique was used to evaluate the examined par ameters in nasal washings before and 30 min, 4 h, and 24 h after the inhala tory provocation with GA and placebo. Results: There was a significant increase in eosinophil number and percenta ge. and albumin, ECP, and tryptase concentrations in NLF from patients with occupational asthma and rhinitis when compared to controls. Conclusions: The results indicate the immunologic mechanism of GA-induced a sthma and the applicability of the "nasal pool" technique as the diagnostic procedure in GA-induced airway allergy.