Allergic asthma caused by exposure to bacterial alpha-amylase Termamyl®.

Background: Airborne enzymes behave as potent respiratory allergens. Till date, allergic disorders caused by genetically engineered enzymes widely used in the industry, have not been reported.
Results and Conclusions: We describe a worker employed in the detergent industry who developed asthma and rhinitis from IgE-mediated sensitization to the thermostable endo-alpha-amylase Termamyl® and to the protease Savinase®. This is the first report showing that Termamyl® elicits allergic respiratory disorders in humans.
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