Storage mite allergy among bakers

Allergy to storage mites has been shown among farmers and grain elevator workers. This study aimed to examine whether bakers also are sensitized to storage mites. Twenty-three bakers or other employees in bakeries suffering from nasal or pulmonary symptoms were compared with 17 control persons with no relation to bakery work or agriculture. All participants underwent skin prick test with a standard panel of allergens, four types of flour and the storage mites Acarus siro, Lepidoglyphus destructor and Tyrophagus putrescentiae, RAST to storage mites and flour, and measurement of total IgE. We found no difference between the baker group and the control group in prevalence and strength of positive skin prick test or RAST to any of the three storage mite species. In the baker group positive RAST to flour was related to positive RAST to A. siro and L. destructor, but not T. putrescentiae. Almost all bakers sensitized to flour were also sensitized to storage mites (6 of 7). We suggest that if a baker become sensitized to flour he will be more prone to develop specific IgE towards storage mites too.