Novey H S, Marchioli L E, Sokol W N, Wells I D
J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1979 Feb;63(2):98-103. doi: 10.1016/0091-6749(79)90198-2.
Increasing reports of respiratory disease associated with exposure to papain prompted clinical, physiological, and immunological studies of the supervisor of a meat tenderizer factory who developed asthma after long-term contact with papain dust. His symptoms were worse at work and better on weekends and vacations. Bronchial inhalation challenges produced both immediate and late asthma to papain but not to the other ingredients in the food product. Immunological studies revealed the presence of specific IgE antibodies by direct and passive transfer skin tests and the radioallergosorbent test, and specific precipitating antibodies by immunodiffusion tests. These findings are indicative of a dual type I and III hypersensitivity. Papain acting as an allergen in an occupational setting is a risk factor for eliciting asthma even in a nontropic individual.
越来越多关于接触木瓜蛋白酶后出现呼吸道疾病的报告促使人们对一家肉类嫩化剂工厂的主管进行临床、生理和免疫学研究。该主管在长期接触木瓜蛋白酶粉尘后患上了哮喘。他的症状在工作时加重，在周末和假期时缓解。支气管吸入激发试验显示，他对木瓜蛋白酶产生了速发型和迟发型哮喘反应，但对该食品中的其他成分没有反应。免疫学研究通过直接和被动转移皮肤试验以及放射变应原吸附试验发现了特异性IgE抗体，并通过免疫扩散试验发现了特异性沉淀抗体。这些发现表明存在I型和III型双重超敏反应。在职业环境中，木瓜蛋白酶作为一种变应原，即使对于非特应性个体也是引发哮喘的一个危险因素。
