Occupational Asthma to the Slime Mold Dictyostelium discoideum

Dictyostelium discoideum is a slime mold that exists in a unicellular amoeboidform under certain nutritional conditions. In this form, it produces unique lysosomal enzymes that are valuable in studying cell-to-cell signaling systems. We report on a research microbiologist who developed rhinoconjunct...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of occupational and environmental medicine 1993-12, Vol.35 (12), p.1231-1235
Main Authors: Gottlieb, Steven J., Garibaldi, Ellen, Hutcheson, Patricia S., Slavin, Raymond G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Allergic diseases
Animals
Asthma
Asthma - etiology
Asthma - immunology
Biological and medical sciences
Conjunctivitis, Allergic - etiology
Conjunctivitis, Allergic - immunology
Dictyostelium - immunology
Dictyostelium discoideum
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Fungi
Humans
Immunoglobulin E - analysis
Immunopathology
Intradermal Tests
Lung Volume Measurements
Male
Medical Laboratory Personnel
Medical research
Medical sciences
Occupational Diseases - etiology
Occupational Diseases - immunology
Occupational Exposure - adverse effects
Occupational hazards
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Respiratory and ent allergic diseases
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Summary:Dictyostelium discoideum is a slime mold that exists in a unicellular amoeboidform under certain nutritional conditions. In this form, it produces unique lysosomal enzymes that are valuable in studying cell-to-cell signaling systems. We report on a research microbiologist who developed rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma after release of D. discoideum from a pressurized canister. Immediate skin test reactivity was demonstrated to whole and lysed organisms. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results revealed IgE antibody against D. discoideum whole organism, lysed organism, and lysosomal enzymes with the strongest response being directed toward lysosomal enzymes. Pulmonary function testing showed a decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second and forced expiratory flow after modified laboratory exposure to D. discoideum. This case represents the first report of occupational rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma from slime mild.
ISSN:0096-1736
1076-2752
2332-3795
1536-5948