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Case-control study of serum immunoglobulin-E antibodies reactive with soybean in epidemic asthma.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Case-control study of serum immunoglobulin-E antibodies reactive with soybean in epidemic asthma.
Authors: Sunyer, J (AUTHOR), Antó, J M (AUTHOR), Rodrigo, M J (AUTHOR), Morell, F (AUTHOR)
Source: Lancet. 1/28/1989, Vol. 333 Issue 8632, p179-182. 4p.
Subjects: Immunoglobulin analysis, Asthma, Comparative studies, Dust, Epidemics, Research methodology, Medical cooperation, Medical emergencies, Research, Soybean, Disease relapse, Evaluation research
Geographic Terms: Spain
Abstract: Since 1981, twenty-six asthma outbreaks have been identified in Barcelona, all coinciding with the unloading of soybean in the harbour. Serum from patients with epidemic asthma and individually matched controls with non-epidemic asthma was assayed for immunoglobulin-E (IgE) antibodies against soybean antigens by means of a radioallergosorbent test. In 64 of 86 cases (74.4%) there was a reaction with commercial soybean antigen extracts, compared with only 4 of the 86 controls (4.6%) (odds ratio = 61; lower 95% confidence limit = 8.1). The statistical significance was greater for reactions with extracts of soybean dust taken from Barcelona harbour (odds ratio, unquantifiably high; lower 95% confidence limit = 11.7). No other serological covariate (total serum IgE levels or specific IgE levels against the commonest airborne allergens or legumes) confounded the association between serum anti-soybean IgE antibodies and epidemic asthma. These results support a causal relation between the release of dust during unloading of soybean at the harbour and the occurrence of asthma outbreaks, suggesting an underlying allergic mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
Description
Abstract:Since 1981, twenty-six asthma outbreaks have been identified in Barcelona, all coinciding with the unloading of soybean in the harbour. Serum from patients with epidemic asthma and individually matched controls with non-epidemic asthma was assayed for immunoglobulin-E (IgE) antibodies against soybean antigens by means of a radioallergosorbent test. In 64 of 86 cases (74.4%) there was a reaction with commercial soybean antigen extracts, compared with only 4 of the 86 controls (4.6%) (odds ratio = 61; lower 95% confidence limit = 8.1). The statistical significance was greater for reactions with extracts of soybean dust taken from Barcelona harbour (odds ratio, unquantifiably high; lower 95% confidence limit = 11.7). No other serological covariate (total serum IgE levels or specific IgE levels against the commonest airborne allergens or legumes) confounded the association between serum anti-soybean IgE antibodies and epidemic asthma. These results support a causal relation between the release of dust during unloading of soybean at the harbour and the occurrence of asthma outbreaks, suggesting an underlying allergic mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:01406736
DOI:10.1016/s0140-6736(89)91201-4