Argan used in cosmetic manufacture new cause of occupational asthma

The following abstract was prsented as a poster at the 2013 European Respiratory Society and provided convincing evidence that argan powder was the cause of occupational astma in three cosmetic factory workers

 

Nine patients from a cosmetic factory were examined in our occupational diseases department, following the appearance of respiratory symptoms in relation with argan cakes handling.

Methods.
Operators were exposed to the three forms of the product (crude granulates, powder or liquid) depending on the step of the process.
All patients systematically underwent a standardized questionnaire on occupational and medical history. Then, medical investigations were realized, comprising, in particularly, peakflow recording, metacholine challenge test, research of specific IgE to argan by immunoblotting technique, prick-tests (PT) to argan powder and some other vegetal allergens. When necessary, a specific challenge test was organized with argan powder. Finally, a research of analogy of peptides sequences were researched, after tandem mass spectrometry (Orbitrap XL) analyses, in vegetal databases.

Results.
About the 9 workers, 4 have rhinitis and/or asthma symptoms when handling argan powder. Three subjects presented positive PT to current respiratory allergens, hazelnuts and, for 2 of them, a positive prick-test to argan. Those with a suspected asthma also have a positive specific challenge test to argan.
Sequencing analyses demonstrated analogy for 3 groups of vegetal proteins, known to be responsible of allergies.

Conclusion.
We reported first evidence of occupational asthma in 3 patients to argan powder, proved by specific challenge test. First results of allergens structure analyses suggested the role of a vegetal protein-like.

Agent	Argan
Job	Cosmetic manufacture
Specific IgE	positive to argan extract and hazel nuts
Skin prick test
Non-specific reactivity
Serial Peak Flow
Induced sputum
FENO
Specific Challenge	positive in 3 workers
Follow-up	no information

 

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