Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Case Reports
. 2006 Jan;56(1):63-6.
doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqi175.

Sensitization to king scallop (Pectin maximus) and queen scallop (Chlamys opercularis) proteins

R M Barraclough  1 , J Walker, N Hamilton, D Fishwick, A D Curran
Affiliations
Case Reports

Sensitization to king scallop (Pectin maximus) and queen scallop (Chlamys opercularis) proteins

R M Barraclough et al. Occup Med (Lond). 2006 Jan.

Abstract

Objective: To report a case of occupational asthma and urticaria due to the queen scallop (Chlamys opercularis) and king scallop (Pectin maximus).

Background: A 40-year-old female worked in a shellfish-processing plant, handling king and queen scallops for 5 years. At the time of investigation, she described a 2-year history of work-related respiratory symptoms.

Methods: Serial peak expiratory flow rate readings were recorded and an OASYS study completed. A workplace visit was undertaken and specific immunoglobulin (IgE) radioallergosorbent (RAST) testing of scallop extracts was performed.

Results: The OASYS study was consistent with occupational asthma. RAST testing demonstrated evidence of specific sensitization (IgE) to queen and king scallop. There was also some cross-reactivity observed with other shellfish (prawns and crabs).

Conclusion: Workers exposed to aerosols from scallop species are at risk of occupational asthma and require effective respiratory health surveillance.

PubMed Disclaimer

Publication types

MeSH terms