A Case of Occupational Asthma Caused by Alternaria Species

Abstract

Alternaria is a major aeroallergen in many countries of the world. Sensitivity to Alternaria is strongly associated with allergic rhinitits and asthma. We report a case of occupational asthma induced by exposure to Alternaria. A 26-year-old female who had been occupied in a pharmaceutical company for 6 years suffered from cough, chest discomfort, and dyspnea 2 months ago, and her symptoms were exacerbated after the work. Skin prick tests showed positive responses to D. pteronyssinus, D. farinae, Alternaria, Aspergillus niger, and Candida albicans. Serum-specific IgE antibodies were detected only to Alternaria. Bronchoprovocation test to Alternaria showed dual asthmatic responses, and therefore she was definitively diagnosed with occupational asthma caused by Alternaria spp. These findings indicate that Alternaria can cause IgE-mediated occupational asthma.