[Allergic asthma due to sausage mould]

Chronic cough is a common reason for consultation in respiratory medicine. The three most frequent causes of chronic cough are asthma, postnasal drip syndrome or rhinosinusitis, and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

We describe a case of chronic cough related to occupational asthma with sensitivity to dry sausage mould (Penicillium nalgiovensis) in a worker in a semi-industrial pork butchers. The diagnosis was based on the history of symptoms, positive skin prick-tests, spirometry, a normal pulmonary CT-scan, and a favourable outcome after avoidance of the allergen. It was notified as a case of occupational disease.

A diagnosis of asthma should be considered in a worker exposed to dry sausage mould presenting with respiratory symptoms like chronic cough without evidence of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Skin prick-tests and allergen avoidance are useful in the diagnosis.