ABSTRACT
A 30-year-old man was employed for 5 years in a platinum refinery. Two years after starting work, he noticed shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing, and a persistent dry cough as well as runny, stuffy nose and sneezing, beginning within 1 hour after coming to work. These symptoms improved substantially on weekends. On initial presentation, physical examination and chest radiograph were normal. Treatment consisted of inhaled albuterol as needed, and budesonide nasal spray. After 3 weeks away from work, he was free of respiratory symptoms. Spirometry testing on initial evaluation showed: FEV
Immunologic evaluation
Skin prick test (SPT) results of 19 common aeroallergens were negative. Respiratory function tests had not been performed while he was at the workplace. SPT to a dilute solution of sodium hexachloroplatinate (10−6 dilution) was positive (7 mm wheal/13 mm flare response).
