Occupational asthma in a research centre breeding locusts

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Occupational Medicine
• Immunology

Background:

• Work-related allergies, including asthma, rhinitis, and urticaria, pose significant health risks in specialized research environments.
• Insects, such as locusts, can be potent sources of occupational allergens.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of work-related asthma, rhinitis, and urticaria in a scientific establishment working with locusts.
• To identify risk factors and immunological responses associated with occupational allergies to locusts.

Main Methods:

• Prevalence survey of work-related symptoms among employees handling locusts.
• Skin prick testing using locust antigens (Schistocerca gregaria, Locusta migratoria) and moth antigens (Chilo partellus).
• Measurement of specific IgG and IgE antibodies to locust antigens.

Main Results:

• Twenty-six percent of workers handling locusts reported work-related wheeze or breathlessness; one-third experienced rhinitis and urticaria.
• Positive skin prick test reactions to locust antigens were observed in 55% of atopic workers handling locusts.
• Atopic workers exposed to locusts developed occupational asthma more frequently and rapidly than non-atopic workers. IgG and IgE antibody levels correlated with exposure and disease presence.

Conclusions:

• Handling locusts in a research setting is associated with a high prevalence of work-related respiratory and skin allergies.
• Atopy is a significant risk factor for developing occupational asthma and other allergic symptoms upon exposure to locusts.
• Specific IgE and IgG antibody responses are indicative of sensitization and disease development in locust-exposed workers.