[Exogenous allergic asthma following pectin exposure--a new occupational allergen]

In a 51-year-old male worker, workplace-related dyspnoea in the sense of bronchial asthma, was observed. On the basis of the medical history, the results of serology, inhalatory provocation and histamine release tests, despite a negative skin test, pectins were established to be the precipitating substances; in experiments on animals (Wistar rats), the instillation of pectins led to the development of bronchiolitis. An exogenous, allergic asthma following exposure to pectin may be considered to have been proven.