Buckwheat flour hypersensitivity: an occupational asthma in a noodle maker.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There have been very few reports of occupational allergies caused by inhalation of buckwheat flour. In this paper, we present a case of occupational asthma and rhinitis caused by buckwheat flour inhalation.

METHODS AND RESULTS: The patient had strong positive responses to grass and ragweed pollens as well. The bronchoprovocation test showed early asthmatic response to buckwheat flour extracts. Serum specific IgE antibody to buckwheat flour was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In order to further identify the allergenic component of the extracts, sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and electroblotting studies were performed. Eight IgE binding components (9-55 kDa) were detected within the buckwheat flour extracts.

CONCLUSION: These results suggest that inhalation of buckwheat flour can caused IgE mediated bronchoconstriction.