Mechanism of occupational asthma due to Western red cedar (Thuja plicata)

✍ Scribed by Dr. Moira Chan-Yeung

• Book ID: 101440725
• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1994
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 356 KB
• Volume: 25
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0271-3586
• DOI: 10.1002/ajim.4700250106

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Occupational asthma due to Western red cedar is the most common form of occupational asthma in the Pacific Northwest and affects 4–13.5% of the exposed population. It has been shown to be caused by plicatic acid, a low molecular weight compound present uniquely in the wood. The mechanism of asthma induced by plicatic acid is not known, as specific IgG antibodies were found only in about 20% of patients. Sera from patients with red cedar asthma failed to passively sensitize human Iung fragments of human basophils. Basophils from patients with this disease released histamine when challenged directly with plicatic acid in a specific manner. Immunologic mechanisms other than Type I hypersensitivity reaction are likely to be involved. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.