A case of occupational asthma due to xylitol

Abstract

Xylitol has many uses, such as in dentistry and as a sweetening agent, and is synthesized from fungus by fermentation. According to some publications, xylitol has no adverse effects on the lungs in either healthy people or patients with cystic fibrosis, but no studies have examined the effects of long-term exposure. Here, we report a patient who developed occupational asthma due to xylitol as confirmed with provocation tests.