Comparison between Airway Responses to High versus Low Molecular Weight Compounds in Occupational Asthma.

D Talini,P L Paggiaro,E Bacci,L Melosini,F Novelli,M De Santis,F L Dente,B Vagaggini,A Di Franco

doi:10.1155/2011/781470

Abstract

Occupational asthma (OA) is a heterogeneous disease, and the characteristics of the sensitizer responsible for OA may induce different clinical, functional, and biological manifestations. We examined the characteristics of 74 patients with OA induced by low molecular weight compounds (LMWC) or by high molecular weight compounds (HMWC) and diagnosed by specific inhalation challenge (SIC). Patients with OA induced by LMWC had a longer occupational exposure before the beginning of symptoms, a lower sputum eosinophilia, and a higher prevalence of late airway response (LAR), in comparison with patients with OA induced by HMWC. Pulmonary function tended to be poorer and atopy tended to be less frequent in LMWC-induced OA than in HMWC-induced OA. These data confirm and extend previous observations showing that the characteristics of the specific sensitizer inducing OA may determine different clinical, functional, and biological features, probably related to the difference pathogenetic mechanisms underlying these different types of OA.

Highlights

Occupational asthma with latency period can be induced by sensitization to either a specific allergen or chemical compounds present in the workplace [1]
We examined the characteristics of 74 patients with Occupational asthma (OA) induced by low molecular weight compounds (LMWC) or by high molecular weight compounds (HMWC) and diagnosed by specific inhalation challenge (SIC)
Patients with OA induced by LMWC had a longer occupational exposure before the beginning of symptoms, a lower sputum eosinophilia, and a higher prevalence of late airway response (LAR), in comparison with patients with OA induced by HMWC

Summary

Introduction

Occupational asthma with latency period can be induced by sensitization to either a specific allergen (high molecular weight compounds, HMWC) or chemical compounds (low molecular weight compounds, LMWC) present in the workplace [1]. Sputum eosinophils increase further after exposure to both HMWC and LMWC, showing the increase in allergic airway inflammation induced by these specific sensitizers [6]. Factors that influence the type of inflammatory responses are unclear but may include the type of asthmatic reaction and the intensity of airway inflammation. It is not known if the type and/or the severity of airway inflammation may contribute to the determination of the pattern of airway response to the specific sensitizer

Methods

Results

Conclusion