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Melon (Cucumis melo) induced allergic sensitization in occupationally exposed individuals
Abstracts S151
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503
Melon (Cucumis melo) Induced Allergic Sensitization in Occupationally Exposed Individuals
C. Andreu1, A. Ferrer1, J. Huertas2, J. Carnes3, E. Fernández-Caldas3; 1Allergology, Hospital de la Vega Baja, Alicante, SPAIN, 2Allergology, Hospital Naval del Mediterraneo, Cartagena, SPAIN, 3Research & Development, C.B.F. LETI, S.A., Tres Cantos, SPAIN. RATIONALE: The Cucurbitaceae family includes melons, cucumbers, pumpkins and squash along with utilitarian, decorative and edible gourds. Minute soft hairs are present on the surface of the rind. Before melons are shipped to the market, they are brushed, cleaned and waxed to remove dirt and hairs. The objective was to investigate the prevalence of sensitization to melon (rind, pulp and hairs) in occupationally exposed workers. METHODS: A questionnaire, including a history of sensitization to aeroallergens and fruits and time of exposure, was administered to 47 workers (38 females, 9 males; mean age 32 years). All individuals were skin tested with extracts of melon hairs, 20 mg/ml, and rind and pulp at 10 mg/ml. RESULTS: Mean time of exposure was 1.6 years, although they were only directly exposed during the 3 month period of the harvest. The rest of the year they worked with other vegetables, including peaches, green peppers and tomatoes. A total of 6 individuals had positive skin tests to melon extracts (12.7%); 2 of these individuals had a positive skin test with the rind extract and a clinical history of oral allergy syndrome (4.3%); 4 individuals (8.5%) had a positive skin test with melon hair extract and had a clinical history of contact dermatitis. Exposure time in these individuals ranged from 5 to 8 years. CONCLUSIONS: We have detected a prevalence of allergic contact dermatitis and sensitization to melon hairs of 8.5% among occupationally exposed individuals. Workers exposed to melons may become sensitized to melon allergens. Funding: Self-funded
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SUNDAY
J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUNOL VOLUME 113, NUMBER 2
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503
Melon (Cucumis melo) Induced Allergic Sensitization in Occupationally Exposed Individuals
C. Andreu1, A. Ferrer1, J. Huertas2, J. Carnes3, E. Fernández-Caldas3; 1Allergology, Hospital de la Vega Baja, Alicante, SPAIN, 2Allergology, Hospital Naval del Mediterraneo, Cartagena, SPAIN, 3Research & Development, C.B.F. LETI, S.A., Tres Cantos, SPAIN. RATIONALE: The Cucurbitaceae family includes melons, cucumbers, pumpkins and squash along with utilitarian, decorative and edible gourds. Minute soft hairs are present on the surface of the rind. Before melons are shipped to the market, they are brushed, cleaned and waxed to remove dirt and hairs. The objective was to investigate the prevalence of sensitization to melon (rind, pulp and hairs) in occupationally exposed workers. METHODS: A questionnaire, including a history of sensitization to aeroallergens and fruits and time of exposure, was administered to 47 workers (38 females, 9 males; mean age 32 years). All individuals were skin tested with extracts of melon hairs, 20 mg/ml, and rind and pulp at 10 mg/ml. RESULTS: Mean time of exposure was 1.6 years, although they were only directly exposed during the 3 month period of the harvest. The rest of the year they worked with other vegetables, including peaches, green peppers and tomatoes. A total of 6 individuals had positive skin tests to melon extracts (12.7%); 2 of these individuals had a positive skin test with the rind extract and a clinical history of oral allergy syndrome (4.3%); 4 individuals (8.5%) had a positive skin test with melon hair extract and had a clinical history of contact dermatitis. Exposure time in these individuals ranged from 5 to 8 years. CONCLUSIONS: We have detected a prevalence of allergic contact dermatitis and sensitization to melon hairs of 8.5% among occupationally exposed individuals. Workers exposed to melons may become sensitized to melon allergens. Funding: Self-funded
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SUNDAY
J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUNOL VOLUME 113, NUMBER 2