Occupational asthma due to ebony wood (Diospyros crassiflora) dust

A 47-year-old man developed a specific late asthmatic reaction after occupational-type exposure to ebony wood dust. Intradermal skin test to an aqueous extract of ebony wood did not give any immediate or late response. The challenge with ebony wood dust was therefore the only method of confirming the cause of asthma. The mechanism underlying this asthmatic reaction remains unknown.