[Sensitization to mites and occupational allergens in bakery workers of la habana, cuba]

Sensitization to allergens at the workplace is an essential factor for the development of occupational respiratory diseases.

To determine the frequency of sensitization to mites and other occupational allergens in bakery workers, by skin prick test (PCP).

In this unpaired case-control study were included 17 workers, mean age 34 years (range 18-55), and the control group 14 patients, mean age 32 years (range 22-47), both predominantly male 76 % and 85 % respectively. Each subject had a history and physical examination, and underwent skin testing with allergenic extracts.

All investigated subjects showed at least a positive response to two allergens in the SPT. The highest percentage of sensitization in bakers corresponded to Acarus siro and Dermatophagoides Siboney with 82.35% each, followed by Blomia tropicalis, D. farinae, Lepydoglyphus destructor and Tyrophagus putrescientae. The lowest positivity corresponded to D. pteronyssinus (47%), different to that found in the control group where this was the predominant mite. The highest wheal diameter values were for the storage mites A. siro and T. putrescientae in the study group and D. farinae and B. tropicalis in the control group. Sensitization was found to wheat flour in 82 % of these bakers.

There is a high sensitization to house dust mites, and particularly to the storage mites and as to allergens from wheat flour to bakers, this represents a risk factor to be considered for occupational safety.