SHORT REPORT

Prevalence of sensitisation to cellulase and xylanase in bakery workers

J Elms¹, D Fishwick¹, J Walker¹, R Rawbone⁴, P Jeffrey², P Griffin⁴, M Gibson³, A D Curran¹

¹ Health and Safety Laboratory, Broad Lane, Sheffield S3 7HQ, UK
² Health and Safety Executive, 375 West George Street, Glasgow G2 4LW, UK
³ Health and Safety Executive, Belford House, 59 Belford Road, Edinburgh EH4 3UE, UK
⁴ Health and Safety Executive, Bootle, Merseyside L20 3QZ, UK

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr J Elms
Health and Safety Laboratory, Broad Lane, Sheffield S3 7HQ, UK; joanne.elms{at}hsl.gov.uk

Aims: To assess the prevalence of sensitisation to a range of exogenous fungal enzymes used in bakeries, and determine the relation between sensitisation and work related symptoms.

Methods: Serum samples (n = 135) from a previous cross sectional study investigating the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and sensitisation to dust components, were reanalysed for specific IgE to the mixed enzymes cellulase, hemicellulase, and xylanase.

Results: Eight (6%) of sera tested had detectable specific IgE to mixed enzymes (excluding fungal -amylase) and 16 (12%) to fungal -amylase. A significant increase (p = 0.03) in nasal symptoms was found in those workers sensitised to enzymes (including -amylase and the mixed enzymes, but with or without sensitisation to wheat flour) when compared to those sensitised to wheat flour alone. Both groups had significantly greater levels of nasal symptoms in comparison to those with no evidence of sensitisation.

Conclusions: The association between specific IgE to mixed enzymes, and an increased prevalence of nasal symptoms in individuals sensitised to enzymes, highlights the importance of measuring sensitisation to the full range of exogenous enzymes used in the baking industry, as well as to wheat flour.

Keywords: sensitisation; cellulase; xylanase; bakery workers; enzymes; respiratory symptoms; bakeries

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This article has been cited by other articles:

• Meijster, T, Tielemans, E, Heederik, D (2009). Effect of an intervention aimed at reducing the risk of allergic respiratory disease in bakers: change in flour dust and fungal alpha-amylase levels. Occup. Environ. Med. 66: 543-549 [Abstract] [Full Text]