Specific sensitization in wheat flour and contributing factors in traditional bakers

K. Karkoulias, D. Patouchas, S. Alahiotis*, M. Tsiamita, K. Vrodakis, K. Spiropoulos

Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pneumology; *Department of Dermatology,
University Hospital of Patras (Greece)

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• Allergology

Abstract. – Skin prick tests (SPTs) play an important role in the diagnosis of bakers asthma and epidemiological field studies on frequencies of sensitization to wheat or rye flour.
In many epidemiological studies the investigators have tried to reveal the determinants of specific sensitization, and atopy appears to be a very strong determinant for sensitization to flour allergens. Age and gender have not reported to be determinants of sensitization. Only one study found that sensitization in wheat flour with skin prick test was significantly associated with cigarette smoking.
Few data are available on sensitization to wheat flour in populations without occupational exposure to bakery allergens.
The aim of this study was to investigate the sensitization of wheat flour and other baking allergens (oat, barley, and rye flour) in traditional bakers and in cleaners in a big hospital in the same area. In addition the correlation of atopy with specific sensitization and the correlation of specific sensitization with age, sex, working hours, working years, smoking status and pack/years with use of skin prick tests.

Corresponding Author: Kostas Spiropoulos, MD; e-mail: k-spiropoulos@hotmail.com

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