Occupational asthma in a research centre breeding locusts

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Abstract
The prevalence of work-related asthma, rhinitis and urticaria was measured in a scientific establishment working with locusts. Of thse handling the locust in the research center, 26% had work-related wheeze or breathlessness, and 1/3 had work-related rhinitis and urticaria. Work-related symptoms were uncommon in scientists exposed to locusts in the field, and in other employees at the center. Antigens were prepared from the locusts, Schistocerca gregaria and Locusta migratoria, and from the moth, Chilo partellus, which was also bred at the center. Skin prick testing with the locust antigens showed positive reactions in 55% of the atopic workers at the center, but were also present in 43% of unexposed atopic workers. In this latter group, there was a correlation between positive reaction to locust and Dermatophagoids antigens. Atopic workers handling the locusts developed occupational asthma more often and more quickly than similarly exposed non-atopic workers. IgG and IgE antibodies to the locust antigens were correlated significantly with both the degree of exposure and the presence of disease.