Occupational Asthma in Female Factory Worker Resulting from Exposure to Savinase in Dishwashing Tablets—A Case Study

Abstract

Occupational Asthma in Female Factory Worker Resulting from Exposure to Savinase in Dishwashing Tablets—A Case Study: Agnieszka LIPIŃSKA‐OJRZANOWSKA, et al. Department of Occupational Diseases, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Poland— Objectives Savinase is one of the endopeptidases widely used in washing detergents. Its ability to cause respiratory allergy has been known. Up to now, most cases of occupational asthma (OA) to savinase have been described among workers involved in the manufacture of laundry detergents. We present a case study of 51‐year‐old female worker of a dishwashing tablets factory, who had been packaging readymade tablets into foil wrappers for 4 years and developed respiratory symptoms, such as cough, dyspnoea and wheezing. Methods A number of clinical procedures were performed, including the clinical examination, routine laboratory tests, evaluation of total and allergen‐specific serum IgE (asIgE) to enzymes, skin prick tests for common allergens, rest spirometry, inhalation methacholine challenge test and a single‐blind, placebo‐controlled specific inhalation challenge test (SICT) with dishwashing tablets. Results Clinical findings and results of routine laboratory tests were within normal limits. Baseline nonspecific bronchial hyperreactivity was revealed. In patient's serum blood we found significantly elevated as IgE to savinase. Decline of FEV1 and PEF in late phase of asthmatic reaction was observed during the specific challenge test. The patient reported chest tightness between 5−12 hours after exposure to dishwashing tablet ingredients. Cytological assessment of an induced sputum revealed increase in the percentage of eosinophils 24 hours after specific challenge in comparison to values noted before the SICT. Conclusions Positive clinical response to the challenge confirmed in objective method tests validated the diagnosis of OA.

Sensitising effects of genetically modified enzymes used in flavour, fragrance, detergence and pharmaceutical production: cross-sectional study

“…Occupational asthma cases due to phytase and savinase have been reported in agricultural and dishwashing industries 34 38. Caballero et al 39 described sensitisation to fungal enzymes in the animal feed industry and Elberling et al 19 mucosal symptoms elicited by fragrances in a general population-based data.…”

Microencapsulation of Lipase and Savinase Enzymes by Spray Drying Using Arabic Gum as Wall Material

“…It can remove tomato, butter, oils, chocolate and cosmetic stains [2]. On the other hand, savinase represents a subgroup of high-alkaline proteases belonging to subtilase enzyme family, so they catalyze the cleavage of peptide bonds in other proteins [6] [7]. Specifically, it is a serine protease [3].…”