1975 Volume 24 Issue 5 Pages 443-447,460
Two cases (21-year-old and 24-year-old male) of flour asthma of the employees working in the same confectionary company were reported. 1) In the first case the attacks of asthma following the onset of nasal and eye symptoms were observed after engagement in the confectionary work for two years and eight months. In the second case the attacks of asthma following the urticaria were observed after engagement in the work for five years and six months. In both patients the attacks of asthma were induced almost only in the factory. 2) The results of the clinical examinations in both cases showed slight increase of eosinophils in the blood and serum IgE concentration. Skin tests by flour, gluten and glutenin containing in flour were all positive. PK reaction, provocation test and conjunctival reaction by gluten and glutenin containing in flour were also positive. The types of the reactions were all immediate type. Agar diffusion precipitation test by Ouchterlony was negative. 3) From these results it was suggested that the antigens in these two cases might be gluten and glutenin. These cases might be allergic bronchial asthma belonging to type 1 allergy classified by Coombs and Gell.
