Bronchial reactivity in green coffee exposure.

Area of Science:

• Occupational Medicine
• Pulmonary Medicine
• Allergology

Background:

• Coffee workers can experience job-related respiratory issues.
• Some workers report symptoms consistent with occupational asthma.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate respiratory symptoms and lung function in coffee workers.
• To evaluate the utility of bronchoprovocation testing for identifying sensitivity to green coffee.

Main Methods:

• Studied nine coffee workers with respiratory complaints.
• Performed lung function tests, including forced expiratory flow-volume curves.
• Conducted bronchoprovocation tests with green coffee allergen and exposure to green coffee dust.
• Assessed total IgE serum levels and performed intradermal skin tests.

Main Results:

• Six workers exhibited symptoms of occupational asthma.
• Obstructive changes were noted in smaller airways; diffusing capacity was normal.
• Bronchoprovocation with green coffee allergen caused immediate asthmatic reactions in four workers.
• Green coffee dust exposure led to acute airflow reductions in healthy subjects.
• Eight workers had elevated total IgE; five showed positive skin tests to green coffee allergen.

Conclusions:

• Green coffee exposure can induce occupational asthma in susceptible workers.
• Bronchoprovocation tests are effective in identifying individuals sensitive to green coffee allergen and dust.