Only few workers exposed to wood dust are detected with specific IgE against pine wood

Background: Our aim was to investigate the frequency of pine allergy in woodworkers with respiratory symptoms and to identify high molecular weight allergens in pine wood extracts.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study we examined work-related respiratory symptoms in 2033 furniture workers and 474 controls by questionnaires. Clinical examination was performed in 365 wood dust exposed and 116 nonexposed subjects. Blood samples were collected for measuring pine-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E by an immunoassay and Western blots.

Results: Eleven exposed and three nonexposed subjects had pine-specific IgE. In the group with clinically defined asthma eight persons (5.4%) had pine-specific IgE compared with six persons (1.8%) in the group without asthma (P < 0.05). In the groups with and without respiratory symptoms, 13 (3.8%) and one (0.7%) subject, respectively, had pine-specific IgE (P = 0.06). Western blots demonstrated pine-specific IgE to components in the molecular range of 14 – 100 kD in eight samples (all wood dust exposed). Five samples had pine-specific IgE against components in a 43 – 59 kD zone and against two bands at 27 and 29 kD that are candidates for major allergens.

Conclusion: Some workers in the Danish furniture industry are specific IgE sensitized against pine wood dust. Pine-specific IgE probably explains a minor part of the respiratory symptoms in workers exposed to pine wood dust.