Occupational wood-dust sensitivity from Euonymus europaeus (spindle tree) and investigation of cross reactivity between E.e. wood and Artemisia vulgaris pollen (mugwort).

A 44-year-old goldsmith suffered from rhinitis and conjunctivitis after having worked with wood dust from Euonymus europaeus (E.e.) for 15 years. The material was used for drying pieces of jewelry. Very strong reactions could be seen after friction test, scratch test and nasal challenge using wood dust of E.e. RAST-class 3 could be measured with the serum of this patient using E.e. wood and Artemisia vulgaris (A.v. pollen) allergen disks. RAST-inhibition, western-blot (WB) and immunoprint (IP) indicated common allergens in extracts of E.e. wood and A.v. pollen of different degree. In addition this study indicated that subjects suffering from A.v. pollen allergy also show sensitization to E.e. wood since in 22 of 37 A.v. pollen allergies A.v. (RAST class 2-4) IgE-antibodies could be seen. The present case probably demonstrates for the first time an IgE-mediated type I allergy to E.e. wood.