© 1996 Oxford University Press
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Identification of Respiratory Allergens1,2
*Zeneca Central Toxicology Laboratory Alderley Park, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 4TJ, United Kingdom
Department of Internal Medicine,.Division of Immunology and Allergy, Universirv of Cincinnati Medical Center Cincinnati, Ohio 45267-0563
Center for Environmental and Occupational Health and Toxicology, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health. University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15238
Human and Environmental Safety Division, Miami Valley Laboratories, The Procter and Gamble Company Cincinnati, Ohio 45253-8707;
¶Immunotoxicology Branch, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
Received May 9, 1996; accepted May 13, 1996
A variety of chemicals and proteins can sensitize the respiratory tract. Among these are materials of industrial importance, including certain diisocyanates, acid anhydrides, reactive dyes, and enzymes. Currently, no widely accepted or well-validated methods for the prospective identification of respiratory allergens exist. Most progress has been made with guinea pig methods where sensitizing potential is measured usually by assessment of changes in pulmonary function induced following sensitization and challenge. However, these methods are often prohibitively expensive, particularly for screening purposes. A number of alternative appreaches are under consideration and are described here. The nature of the health problems associated with occupational respiratory sensitization, chemical structure-activity analyses as a tool for detecting pulmonary allergens, approaches used to test for respiratory allergens in guinea pigs, and alternative approaches using mice are all discussed. Finally, regulatory issues and needs with respect to respiratory sensitization are outlined.